Originally the south end of the village of Prittlewell, Southend became a popular seaside resort for people during the Georgian era. Owing to its proximity to London and easy access by train, the town's economy has largely been based on tourism ever since. Southend Pier is the world's longest pleasure pier at 1.34 miles (2158 m). Over the years the pier has suffered fires and ship collisions, most recently in October 2005, but it has been repaired each time.

With the decline of traditional British sea-side resorts, from the 1960s onwards much of the centre of Southend was developed as a centre of commerce, and many of the original features of this once-attractive Victorian seaside town were destroyed through redevelopment or neglect. H.M. Revenue & Customs (HMRC), (formerly H.M. Customs and Excise), are major employers in the town, and the central offices for the collection of VAT are located there. Southend recently opened the new University of Essex, Southend, aimed at boosting the town's flagging economy.

There are nine railway stations within the Borough boundary serving the many Southend residents who commute to work in London.

London Southend Airport was developed from the former military airfield at Rochford, and offers a mix of engineering and maintenance facilities, aviation and pilot training, corporate and recreational flights, and scheduled flights to Jersey on summer Saturdays. There are plans to expand the airport, including incorporation of a railway station, in 2009.

Seafront attractions

The town is well known for its seafront attractions. Since 1986, a diesel-hydraulic railway has been running the length of the famous pier, replacing the original electric service which opened in 1890. A fire in October 2005 seriously damaged the far end of the pier. The pier has been beset by a history of fires, the previous occasion, in 1995 destroyed the bowling alley at the start of the pier. The pier was also run through by a boat in 1984.

The Kursaal was one of the earliest theme parks, built at the start of the 20th century. It closed in the 1970s and much of the land was developed as housing. The entrance hall, a listed building, is now a bowling alley arcade (operated by Megabowl) and casino.

Another newer theme park, Adventure Island, developed on land formerly occupied by Peter Pan's Playground, straddles the pier entrance. It is a popular attraction for both adults and children, and despite a restriction on available land has continued to grow into a large amusement park with over 50 rides. The sea-front also houses the "Sea-Life Adventure" aquarium.

The cliff gardens, which included Never Never Land, and Victorian bandstand were a popular attraction until slippage in 2003 made parts of the cliffs unstable, and the bandstand has been removed for safe keeping. The council has expressed its desire to re-erect the bandstand but a suitable location has yet to be found.

A modern cliff lift links the base of the High Street with the new pier entrance. The older cliff lift, a short funicular railway, is located a few hundred metres away, now closed because structural and mechanical work needs to be done in order to meet European Union Legislation which classes it as a cablecar.

In August the Southend Carnival is opened along the Golden Mile with the lighting of the Southend Illuminations which continue until November. (The Council authorities decided that due to the need for repair to meet Health & Safety requirements, and funding issues, the Illuminations would not be held in 2007 and 2008).

On the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, Southend hosts one of the busiest farmers markets in the county.