Leigh-on-Sea news
Leigh-on-Sea news, newest first, from Southend Today: planning, roads, schools, business and what's on in Leigh-on-Sea, with every story linked to its source.
Top story
Southend's 'trendier sister' Leigh-on-Sea named among UK's best places to live
Leigh-on-Sea has been named among the UK's best places to live for 2027, one of eight Essex places on the list.
More stories
Transport
Lamppost EV Chargers for 26 Leigh and Milton Streets: Say by 18 November
Southend Council wants views on 26 lamppost chargers in Leigh and Milton wards, most with an EV-only bay beside them. The consultation closes on 18 November.
Christmas
Boxing Day Walks Near Southend: 10 Castles, Creeks and Woods to Walk Off Lunch
Ten Boxing Day walks near Southend, from Hadleigh Castle to Two Tree Island and Gunners Park, with gate times, parking and pubs open. Updated November 2026.
Elections
Leigh Ward By-Election on 10 December: Key Dates to Vote
Leigh ward votes for one city councillor on Thursday 10 December. Register by midnight on 24 November and apply for a postal vote by 5pm on 25 November.
Schools
Leigh North Street School Pool: Council Cannot Step In
Only the school's governors can reopen the pool, the council tells the 2,547-name petition, and it will not fund it. Cabinet notes the reply on 16 November.
Christmas
Christmas Shopping in Southend: 14 Shops From the Pier to Leigh Broadway
We checked 14 Southend shops, from Read on Sea's books to Argosy Toys, for opening hours, addresses and what each sells. Updated November 2026.
Christmas
Where to Buy a Real Christmas Tree Near Southend, From Field to Doorstep
We checked 5 places to buy a real Christmas tree in Southend, from the council's Parks Team to a Prince Avenue farm, for 2026 prices. Updated November 2026.
Food & Drink
Christmas Dinner in Southend 2026: Eight Tables Worth Booking, From £49.99
Eight places in and around Southend serve Christmas Day lunch from £49.99 to £195, with children's rates, deposits and the dates to pay by. Checked November 2026.
Leigh-on-Sea
Leigh-on-Sea Roadworks: Road Closures and Traffic Orders Near Leigh-on-Sea
Leigh-on-Sea roadworks: Footpath south of High Street (now, until 9 Dec) and every other traffic order within 3 km, checked each morning with the...
Leigh-on-Sea
Leigh-on-Sea Weather: 7-Day Forecast and Today's Hourly Outlook
Leigh-on-Sea weather today: light rain, 12°C by day and 4°C overnight, with a 91% chance of rain and winds up to 13 mph.
RNLI
Southend RNLI Hovercraft Frees Three From Mud at Two Tree Island
Three people stuck in the mud off Two Tree Island on Saturday night lit up their phone torches so the Southend RNLI hovercraft could find them in the dark.
Christmas
Light Up Leigh: Fri 27 Nov From 4pm, Broadway Shut 3pm-8pm
Light Up Leigh is on Friday 27 November from 4pm, free, with the Broadway and Elm Road shut 3pm to 8pm. All three children's sessions have now sold out.
Food & Drink
Southend Food Hygiene: All 33 September Ratings Were a 5
All 33 Southend food businesses rated in September scored 5, including a Leigh cafe that was on 1 in February. The city's only zero has gone from the register.
Leigh-on-Sea
Leigh Port Rebuild: £21.8m Contract Goes Without a Tender
Cabinet approved the £21.8m Leigh Port contract as a direct award, not a competition, and the Levelling Up grant runs out in March 2028, before the work ends.
Leigh-on-Sea
Old Leigh Regatta 2026, held 12-13 Sept: Times and Roads
The regatta is free and opens at 11am on Saturday 12 September. High Street and Belton Bridge shut 7am to 9pm from Friday, and two car parks lose every bay.
Community
Music Man Project Hits £150,000: Broadway Date 7 October
The Leigh-on-Sea charity's GoFundMe stands at £150,109 from 171 donations, enough to take 30 musicians with learning disabilities to The Town Hall, New York, on 7 October, in memory of Sir David Amess.
Recycling
Southend and Leigh Tips Now Close at 4pm Until February
Stock Road and Leigh Marshes tips open 9am to 4pm on weekdays and 8am at weekends; Stock Road shuts Thursdays, Leigh Wednesdays. Checked November 2026.