The easing of coronavirus restrictions has seen residents flock back to Southend’s hotspots with parks and beaches much busier.
We showed photographs of Adventure Island packed out with thrillseekers, while the likes of Southend beachfront and the high street saw an upturn in footfall.
Although we are nowhere near returning to normality after what has been an unprecedented 13 months due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was great to see some of our favourite businesses thriving again.
We have delved into our photo archives to rediscover these images, which date all the way back to the 1970s, of what some of those popular destinations looked like in years gone by, when social distancing was not a known term.
Splish splash - larking about on the seafront
Cooling off - these ladies were relaxing in Priory Park back in 1986
Shielding themselves from the sun - there are a lot of sun hats in this 1989 photo
Rickshaw - this couple enjoyed some seaside transportation back in June 1976
Read more:
- Southend Festival of Flowers and Crafts before it became a thing of the past
- IN PICTURES: 10 eye-catching snaps of 1987 Southend Carnival
Snooze - a couple enjoy a catnap on Southend seafront in July 1986
Making a splash - Sharon Brasted and Bridget Jennings
Buckets of fun - kids on Southend seafront in 1990
Paddle pals - youngsters go for a dip in Prittle Brook
Cool dude - Ben Williams in his shades
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