GREY and dreary buildings will be a thing of the past in Southend once the city centre is draped in colourful and lively murals.

This week has seen artists pick up their paint brushes and stencils and got to work on transforming the bland walls of buildings into bright and beautiful artistic creations.

Many of the murals will stay in place once the festival is completed, and it is hoped that the City Jam legacy will see “life being brought back into the city centre”.

One of the walls which is covered in purple, orange, green, and blue art, is in the centre of Southend High Street, above the Job Centre Plus.

Jill Carrington, 44, from Southend, insisted she always thought the city would benefit from more street art since moving out of London.

She said: “My son and I moved here seven years ago from Shoreditch, and we always said the biggest thing we missed was the street-art.

“We are both huge appreciators of street art and we are really looking forward to what City Jam will bring this year.

“With Southend newly becoming a city, this is exactly what is needed to brighten things up and bring people into the high street.

“It also gives opportunities for some incredibly talented artists to showcase their work.

“Southend is trying hard to bring the old seaside feel up to the city status, and I think this is the best initiative.

“I love the fact that so much artwork stays around after the event too.”

Echo: Map - City Jam 2023Map - City Jam 2023 (Image: Southend City Council)

The festival kicks off today and is running throughout the weekend.

However, work has been underway this week as more than 200 artists head to the city to scatter huge colourful pieces of artwork across the city.

This includes giant walls being permanently painted, temporary hoardings being decorated, and huge black boxes allowing artists to collaborate.

Alongside the artwork and live painting, visitors can indulge in the street food and live music from a range of solo, duo, and acoustic bands.

Matt Dent, councillor responsible for the Kursaal ward, added: “it is brilliant.

“It was a great experience last year and this year will be even bigger and is really bringing life and colour into the city.

“It is also celebrating street-art and as we are coming to the end of summer, it is a boost to tourism too.

“The artwork last year was around for a year after too so it really help brightens up the place all year round and gives people a reason to smile.”