Residents in Southend-on-Sea are invited to participate in a free creative session on 31 May 2026, designed to imagine the future of the city. The event, titled Futures of Southend, encourages members of the community to join Metal Culture at Chalkwell Hall to explore what the city could look and feel like by 2050.
The session aims to bring people together to share different perspectives and values, helping residents rethink what is possible for the area. This initiative aligns with the long-term planning already underway by Southend-on-Sea City Council, which has been working on its own Southend 2050 vision since 2018.
The council’s existing vision includes 26 specific outcomes across six themes: Pride and Joy, Safe and Well, Active and Involved, Opportunity and Prosperity, Connected and Smart, and One Team. The upcoming workshop offers a new opportunity for the public to contribute their own ideas to this ongoing conversation about the city’s future.
Metal Culture has been a part of the local community since 2007, operating from the historic Chalkwell Hall within Chalkwell Park. The organisation is well known for producing the Village Green Festival, which began in 2008 and grew significantly over the years, eventually drawing thousands of visitors and supporting local artists and community groups.
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