by Temperatures in Southend reached 33 degrees on Monday, marking a new record of sweltering Sunday in the town and bringing an end to the summer’s bad weather streak.
Photographs taken by members of the Echo Photo Club show Jubilee Beach bustling with hundreds of eager tourists keen to soak up the sun on the seafront.
James Sinclair, the owner of Rossi, said people would love the mini heatwave and enjoy the company’s legendary ice cream.
He said: “We’ve noticed a massive increase in the number of people enjoying things like Coke floats and affogatos. We’ve put in extra tables and chairs and people are loving it. They’re staying out until 9pm.”
“In April, May and June we were way in the red, but we will get back on our feet, we are optimistic.
“Everyone is welcome in sunny Southend and Westcliff. It’s really beautiful and we welcome everyone.”
Matt Dent, Labour councillor for culture, tourism and business, called the weekend on the seafront “brilliant”.
He said: “It was a fantastic weekend at the seaside, everyone was out on the pier and we had the puppet festival.
“There are many reasons to come to Southend in the future. Enjoy the excellent events.”
Phil Miller, CEO of Stockvale and owner of Adventure Island, is also happy to see the sun.
He said: “Southend has always been the sunniest and driest place in the UK.
“But even though we have suffered badly this season, the change in the weather came as planned.
“It’s a long winter.”
He added that recent fears surrounding rumours of unrest in Westcliff last week had not prevented a return to business as usual.
He added: “Thanks to Kier Starmer and the sunshine, everything is going on as usual.
“The Prime Minister has quelled the unrest in the country with a tough and swift verdict and the sunshine is doing the rest.
“For some inexplicable reason, some people have stayed away from Southend, linking this to the national unrest and the unusual problems with the wild gangs we had on the seafront a few weeks ago.”
