SOUTHEND'S top tier transport links are helping Priory Park become a mecca for summer festivals and a "great alternative" to London, it has been claimed. 

A series of big events are coming to the park, off Victoria Avenue, this summer including the Lazydays music festival, the Ibiza Orchestra Live festival as well as the Sausage and Cider Fest. 

Chart-topping musician Professor Green has been revealed as the headline act for the Ibiza Orchestra Live one-day music festival and the big-name announcement has sparked excitement. 
 

Echo: Read All About It - Professor Green will headline the Ibiza Orchestra Experience.Read All About It - Professor Green will headline the Ibiza Orchestra Experience. (Image: Ian West / PA)

 

The Lazydays Festival, a celebration of music and craft beer at the park, has also revealed big names including the Hoosiers and BBC DJ Craig Charles are coming to Southend. 

Organiser Mike Bromfield says the secret to Priory Park’s rising stardom as an events destination is how “incredibly well-connected” it is, making it a perfect alternative to London for organisers and festival-goers. 

Mr Bromfield said: “Southend is increasingly becoming a destination for great events.

“We expect people to come from far and wide because it’s incredibly well connected.

“Living near London, we’re all accustomed to going into the city for gigs, festivals, and theatre.

Echo: Party - thousands are expected to pile into Priory Park for events this summer.Party - thousands are expected to pile into Priory Park for events this summer. (Image: Live Tour Promotions)

 

“But as commuter traffic drops and leisure traffic has risen, why not take advantage of that reverse travel?

“Southend is served by two train lines and is on a major bus route. You can spend 40 minutes on a train from east to west London, or you can use that time to come to Southend for a weekend by the sea.”

But there’s more to Priory Park’s success than mere transport links, Mr Bromfield says.

“I’ve been going to events at the park since I was 15 years old, and worked backstage for Jools Holland when he came to town,” he said.

“It’s got a great history and culture of being a place to build communities.”

Now aged 32, Mike says he has spent “nearly half of his life” working at events in Southend and Priory Park.

 

 

Echo: Travel - festivalgoers are expected to come 'from far and wide'.Travel - festivalgoers are expected to come 'from far and wide'. (Image: Live Tour Promotions)

 

He added: “I come as a punter, too, with my family - in wet weather or blistering sunshine.

“There is an absolute plethora of trees that can’t be underestimated. It’s got a great mix of trees and open-air space.”

Priory Park is expected to welcome 10,000 people over the weekend from July 26 to 28 for Lazydays.

Mr Bromfield added: “People are really seeing Lazydays as a place to gather and celebrate.

“We’ve got some amazing entertainment right on our doorstep.”