Southend business news
Southend business news, newest first: openings, closures, awards and jobs across the area.
Top story
Southend Vape Shop Owner Challenges Rates Relief Cut
Vape shops lose business rates relief from April 2027. Vapour Central, with shops in Westcliff, Leigh and Rayleigh, has asked the Treasury for its evidence.
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Airport
Southend to Belfast Flights Start: Mon, Fri and Sun
easyJet's first London Southend to Belfast City flight left on Monday 2 November. It flies Mondays, Fridays and Sundays, one of 26 easyJet routes from Southend.
Council
Southend Vape and Barber Shop Curbs Go to Cabinet, No Vote
A motion to limit new vape shops, barbers and phone repair shops, and bar them from council-owned units, goes to Cabinet on Wednesday without a council vote.
Airport
Southend Airport: easyJet Adds 4th Jet, Rhodes from 27 Apr
easyJet will base a fourth A320neo at Southend from summer 2027 and fly to Rhodes twice a week from 27 April. The airport expects to pass a million passengers next year and employ more than 400 people.
Licensing
Southend Licensing: KFC Eastwood Bids to Serve Until 5am
KFC on Stephenson Road wants to serve until 5am and objections close on 29 September. Five licence bids are open in Southend, with deadlines to 15 October.
Business
Three Southend Firms Named Over £14,108 in Unpaid Wages
Three employers with Southend addresses underpaid 100 workers by £14,108 between them, the government's naming list shows. One is now in liquidation.
Licensing
Southend Pub Bids for 6am Alcohol Delivery: Object by 1 Sep
The Blue Boar on Victoria Avenue wants to sell alcohol for delivery until 6am, and a Rayleigh Road petrol station has applied for 24-hour off-sales. Five applications are open, with deadlines from 1 to 24 September.
Jobs
Southend Claimant Count: Kursaal 8.3%, West Leigh 1.3%
Southend's July claimant count is 4,775, 4.2% of working-age residents. Kursaal is at 8.3% and West Leigh at 1.3%, a six-fold gap inside one city.