Cultural venues across Southend are set to reopen their doors to the public next week after Boris Johnson confirmed the country would enter step three of the roadmap to recovery.

Focal Point Gallery, Southend Central Museum, Prittlewell Priory, the Beecroft Art Gallery and Southchurch Hall have all been closed since December 2020.

However, the cultural venues are now getting ready to reopen their doors - with world class exhibitions set to take place across a number of sites.

Mixed-media exhibitions will be taking place at the Beecroft Art gallery from May 18-June 12.

Focal Point Gallery are launching their first solo institutional exhibition on reopening day on May 19, with an outdoor artwork exhibition starting on May 22.

Southend Central museum also have a history exhibition which will be open to the public on August 21.

Councillor Kevin Robinson said: “I am delighted that we can now reopen these wonderful venues and reveal the plans to welcome visitors once again.

“With so many places to go and pieces to see, it’s no wonder Southend is becoming a hotspot for staycations.”