Passengers at Southend Airport can now enjoy an increased range of food and drink following the opening of Giraffe STOP and Costa Coffee.

The Giraffe STOP, which opened for the first time at the airport yesterday, follows the recent agreement with TRG Concessions to take over catering outlets. The airport also expects to see the opening of bespoke pub brand, The Navigator, later this summer.

The new outlets have led to the creation of 20 new jobs, including permanent manager roles.

Lauren Hawes, who lives in Southend will become the new Unit manager for Giraffe STOP having only started working with TRG Concessions at London Southend a few months ago. She said, “Working at my local airport has been a fantastic whirlwind experience for me. I haven’t been here that long but I’ve really enjoyed my experience and learnt a lot. It’s fantastic that the airport is creating such amazing career opportunities for local people like me.”

Nick Ayerst, the managing director of TRG Concessions, said: "We are delighted to have acquired sites at London Southend Airport, given its current growth and future prospects. We look forward to trading them with a view to developing further award-winning new concessions at the airport over the next few years. We welcome our new team members into the business and will be investing in them to help support future growth in our Southend business.” 
​
Glyn Jones, CEO of London Southend Airport said, “This new partnership with TRG Concessions, which will bring six new high street brands to London Southend Airport, is fantastic news for passengers. It is also a great vote of confidence in the UK’s fastest growing airport, another step along our road to becoming both bigger and better. And as we grow, we can create even more job opportunities for the local community.”

Southend’s historic cliff lift is to reopen to the public in time for the summer holidays – and new volunteers are now being sought to help run it.
 
The lift – which has been a popular attraction with tourists since it opened in August 1912 – has been out of operation since May last year, when it regularly started breaking down. Repairs were completed this week and now the Council is seeking new recruits to bolster its volunteer numbers.
 
The lift will operate between 10am and 3pm every Saturday and Sunday. Any new volunteers will be given full training.
 
Trips on the lift cost just 50p per person per journey and any income goes towards its maintenance.
 
Cllr Lesley Salter, cabinet member for healthy communities and wellbeing, said: “I’m delighted to see the popular historic cliff lift back in operation in time for the school summer holidays.
 
“This promises to be a bumper summer for Southend, with a varied activities calendar to suit all tastes, including organised walks, music and events on the pier and both Southend Pride and The Southend Festival in full swing.
 
“Volunteering at the cliff lift is a fun opportunity to help welcome visitors to our great town, meet new people and learn new skills, so I encourage anyone with the time and passion for our town to get in touch.”
 
To express an interest in volunteering, please email museumvolunteers@southend.gov.uk or phone the Volunteer Support Team on 01702 534887.
 
The Council is also looking for volunteers with a passion for the town to get involved in a new Visitor Welcome Host scheme. To find out more please email makesouthendsparkle@southend.gov.uk or call 01702 212251.

Works to rejuvenate a popular visitor location in the east of the town have now begun and are expected to be completed by October 2019.
 
Shoebury Common North is undergoing a £300,000 make-over after Southend Council ran a public consultation in 2016 to see what residents would like to see in the open space. The first phase of the works will see the removal of the Tamarisk that surrounds the site, creating a more open feel and helping increase awareness of the area.
 
Plans will then include a children’s play area, outdoor fitness equipment, coastal planting and picnic tables. Other plans include an outdoor games table and pedestrian pathways.
 
Cllr Lesley Salter, cabinet member for healthy communities and wellbeing, said: “Shoebury Common North is a real hidden gem, with many families of residents and visitors settling down there for a day to enjoy the sun, whilst being within walking distance of Shoeburyness beach.
 
“We are confident these plans will provide a boost to businesses in the Shoeburyness and Thorpe Bay area, as well as offering more activities for residents and visitors.”