Southend-on-Sea's London Road is the , with 10 barbers and six vape shops. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) it is 2,983 metres long.
Lined with a wide range of shops, cosy cafes, and eateries, it's also home to the popular Royals Shopping Centre, which features over 30 stores. The High Street is a lively road which hosts an outdoor market every Thursday and Saturday selling hot food, fresh fruit, fish, bread, to clothing, jewellery and household goods. From the 1930s to the 1980s, Southend High Street was alive with movement, colour, and change. From old water pipes to modern restaurants, the high street has seen a lot.
It began its rise as a retail spot during the Edwardian period, marked by the opening of its first major store, Garons, in 1885. In 1902, the arrival of electric trams further boosted and remained in service until 1942, when they were withdrawn due to changes brought on by World War 2.
By 1974, the High Street had been fully pedestrianised. One particularly memorable fixture is the Millennium Clock, which stood proudly since 2000 until it was removed in 2011 due to a breakdown and placed in council storage.
Several major brands have announced plans to open new stores, including B&M, Kokoro, and Dunelm, which is set to open at the end of June.
Not only is Southend-on-Sea home to the longest high street in the world, but it is also home to the longest pleasure pier in the world, and its pier has just been crowned by the Telegraph as the best in Britain.
At over a mile long, Southend Pier is the longest pleasure pier in the world. It earns top marks for its attractions, including a fairground, Ferris wheel, theatre, café, and even a pier railway.
At a staggering 1.34 miles, it was first constructed from iron in 1830 and later rebuilt in wood in 1889, and has undergone significant restoration in recent years.
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