Southend-on-Sea, Essex 1972

The vibrant holiday atmosphere of Southend-on-Sea, Essex, is captured in this authentic 1970s colour photograph from 1972. The archival image focuses on the Western Esplanade, where a series of cafes and kiosks are built into the historic red-brick retaining arches of the seafront. Visible businesses include “The Fountain,” “Mermaid,” and “Beachcomber,” with their distinctive awnings and outdoor seating areas. A striped kiosk nearby advertises “Ice Cream, Minerals, Rocks, etc.” A large white “Lyons Bread” delivery truck is parked on the left, while a white Ford Escort and a Rover P6 are seen along the road. Above the arches, a mix of Victorian-style terraces with ornate white balconies and modern 1970s apartment blocks line the clifftop. This factual record preserves the classic English seaside experience during the early 1970s, documenting the unique architecture and local commerce of this popular Thames Estuary resort.