When I see things like this, it makes me wonder what Southend could have been had they kept the original Kursaal amusement park running (one of the first amusement parks in the world, only built a few years after Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Coney Island). Loads of good traditional rides like you see here, but sadly all shut down in the early 70s to make way for a housing estate. The building fronting the park remained (now just known as "The Kursaal") but has been virtually empty - aside from a small Tesco - for many years despite some attempt to revive it in the late 90s. I have been to Blackpool Pleasure Beach only once, in 1999. And I have to say, compared to Southend, the prom is absolutely stunning. Southend Council sadly don't give a damn about heritage, history nor a varied offering of entertainment/amusement, and the town (sorry, city) has been dying as a result. Rumour is that even our Pier is in danger of falling into the sea, and may end up being sold to a private operator to do with what they like. Yes, we have Adventure Island (which is a stone's throw from where the original Kursaal park used to be) however it's a place bereft of any real heritage save for a handful of classic rides still operating, such as the Crooked House. What our towns do have in common of course is that if you walk just 1 or 2 streets back from the prom/seafront, you'll see destitution. That much is true of most seaside towns now. But at least Blackpool seems to make the best of what it has. Southend's just a total waste of time now - no real entertainment, no nightlife, no airshow nor carnival anymore, High Street is half empty and what's left are cheap tatty phone repair shops, take-aways and the like.
spent many happy days at the pleasure beach in the 1960,s and 70,s the fun house cost half a crown 2/6 pence all day. what memories shame you have to pay just to walk around now ! .
Awesome memories 😊👍 ❤
I remember sliding the Funhouse slide on hessian mats.
Great Pictures of Blackpool And Maxin
Maxims Captive Flying Machines😊
When I see things like this, it makes me wonder what Southend could have been had they kept the original Kursaal amusement park running (one of the first amusement parks in the world, only built a few years after Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Coney Island). Loads of good traditional rides like you see here, but sadly all shut down in the early 70s to make way for a housing estate. The building fronting the park remained (now just known as "The Kursaal") but has been virtually empty - aside from a small Tesco - for many years despite some attempt to revive it in the late 90s.
I have been to Blackpool Pleasure Beach only once, in 1999. And I have to say, compared to Southend, the prom is absolutely stunning. Southend Council sadly don't give a damn about heritage, history nor a varied offering of entertainment/amusement, and the town (sorry, city) has been dying as a result. Rumour is that even our Pier is in danger of falling into the sea, and may end up being sold to a private operator to do with what they like. Yes, we have Adventure Island (which is a stone's throw from where the original Kursaal park used to be) however it's a place bereft of any real heritage save for a handful of classic rides still operating, such as the Crooked House.
What our towns do have in common of course is that if you walk just 1 or 2 streets back from the prom/seafront, you'll see destitution. That much is true of most seaside towns now. But at least Blackpool seems to make the best of what it has. Southend's just a total waste of time now - no real entertainment, no nightlife, no airshow nor carnival anymore, High Street is half empty and what's left are cheap tatty phone repair shops, take-aways and the like.
Ps Love seeing the Big Dipper and Grand National being built 😊👍
spent many happy days at the pleasure beach in the 1960,s and 70,s the fun house cost half a crown 2/6 pence all day. what memories shame you have to pay just to walk around now ! .