The Local Plan aims to help create 7,500 new jobs by 2040.
There are a number of key employment growth sectors (Policy DM6.1) in Southend, including:
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Aviation
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Construction & Specialist Construction
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Health & Medical Industries
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Business & Financial Services
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Tourism
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Food & Beverage Services
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Cultural & Creative Industries
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Civic & Government Administration
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Commercial Fishing Marine Activities
The Local Plan recognises the importance of developing Southend-on-Sea’s skills base, and seeks to support access to employment, training and development, and employment initiatives for residents (Policy DM6.2).
Because land is limited, we need to safeguard existing employment land, especially where it provides a base for business (Policy DM6.3).
The city’s retail and commercial centres will be managed to ensure their continued function. The City Centre will remain the first preference for retail and other main town centre uses that attract large numbers of people, with opportunities for diversification, regeneration, and renewal (Policy DM6.4).
The Plan seeks to promote Southend as a major resort and year-round visitor destination (Policy DM6.5), with a focus on visitor accommodation.
The Central Seafront, Leigh-on-Sea, and Shoeburyness are recognised for their tourism roles, alongside the wider seafront.