1st March 2022 – The day Southend became a city!
On Wednesday 1st March 2023, Southend celebrated the one year anniversary of the day that our Borough of Southend officially became a City.
Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II made the decision to grant Southend ‘city status’ in memory of the late Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West who tragically lost his life whilst serving his local community in October 2021.
Our now King, Charles III and his wife Camilla, Queen Consort, visited Southend on the day to officially recognise the city status which was witnessed by local school children, peers of our community and local residents, a day that I’m sure many will remember for years to come. Photographs from the day and letters patent are displayed in Southend Central Museum.
The 100th Mayor, Cllr Margaret Borton, was present to receive the letters patent, making her the last Mayor of the Borough of Southend and the first Mayor of the City of Southend, something which she called ‘a privilege’.
As part of the special day, Lady Amess received the first ‘Freedom of the City’ on behalf of her late husband, Sir David Amess, who fought passionately on behalf of the community to gain City status for Southend.
Since obtaining City status, Southend has arranged many community events such as the Halloween Parade, LuminoCity and Southend City Jam which has attracted thousands of visitors, bringing in trade and tourism to the area. The new electric pier trains, including one dedicated to the memory of the late Sir David Amess, have been launched resulting in a record-breaking year for visitors.
Southend City has gained many awards with seven of our parks awarded green flags, five blue flags awarded to our beaches, a purple flag awarded for a safe night-time economy and even scooping a National Love Parks award as well.
A special ceremony also took place on Wednesday 1st March named the ‘Southend City Jubilee Awards’, honouring 70 of Southend’s unsung heroes and heroines. The event was hosted by Blade Education with support from Southend on Sea City Council, National Lottery Awards for All Fund and Southend City Community Investment Board.
With such a successful first year, I’m sure there will be lots more to look forward to.