Southend seafront was once a major source of employment for the town in the golden days of the seaside.
Now that golden age could be returning, as two new developments get underway. Between them they will account for at least 550 jobs.
The £50million leisure and residential scheme at Seaway car park will provide an estimated 450 jobs.
The scheme will transform the site near to the seafront at Lucy Road, introducing a ten-screen cinema, 11 restaurants and 99 apartments.
Ron Woodley, leader of Southend Council, said: “The job creation provided by this regeneration scheme is significant and provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring real change to this part of the town and to increase the year-round leisure offer for the six million plus visitors to the town, and a major source of employment for local people.”
Further to the east, the £5million indoor fun centre at Adventure Island, set to open this Easter, will create another 100 new jobs.
Like Seaway, the Adventure Inside attraction is intended to be a year-round centre of entertainment which will help to generate increased visitor numbers during the winter months.
Adventure Island’s managing director Marc Miller said: “The creation of the colourful 1,100 square metre centre has started to give a new economic boost to the town, with over 100 new positions needing to be filled before the attraction opens.”