A HISTORY OF
THE SOUTHEND GAS COMPANY

It was on the 27th January 1854 that a dozen or so men met in the Hope Tavern, now called the Hope Hotel on Marine Parade Southend on Sea. They decided to hold a meeting to discuss the prospects of forming a company that would bring gas lighting to the town.
Southend had a population of about 8,000 but it was becoming renowned as a favourite watering place. A railway was expected, bringing thousands of visitors, and these holidaymakers would hope to enjoy the same brilliant gas-lit streets and houses they enjoyed in London.

It was a Mr Charles Woosnam who proposed the resolution that they should form a gas company with a capital of £1,500 in 300 shares of £5 each. Also Messrs, E.W Madams, H.D Brook, C. Woosnam, G. Vandervord, J.B Brasier, and J.G Payne should be directors, with Mr Payne as chairman and Mr Brasier as secretary. The resolution was agreed.
Finding a suitable site was the next task which was made easier by Mr. Daniel Scratton of Prittlewell Priory, the Lord of the Manor, who gave them free of charge four acres of his land. A Mr. Jabez Church was appointed consulting engineer and by December the Southend Gas Light and Coke Company got permission to lay gas pipes in Royal Terrace, Grove Terrace, and to the St. John the Baptist church.
On May 8th 1855, Southend gas was used for the first time when 120 gas lights were lit. The service quickly expanded and by the first AGM in March 1856, 340 burners, some on the newly built railway station were lit, and the total revenue for the year was £382 -18s - 4d. The idea of just a few men had grown to an indispensable service to Southend in two years.
Southend grew in importance during the next few years as did the Company. Between 1857 and 1901, the population rose to 28,000, and gas consumers increased in proportion from 340 burners in 1857 to 5,000 in 1901.
With the introduction of prepayment coin meters, people who found it difficult to pay quarterly accounts were able to take advantage of the benefits gas service would bring. In cooking, gas was fast replacing coal in many hotels and private dwellings with 616 cookers being fixed in two months in 1902. Lighting still remained important with the pier south of the pavilion being lit by gas burning the Company's own lanterns.
In 1897 there were disastrous floods which it was thought might stop the supplies for two months but by a miracle of repair it only lasted six hours. A similar dramatic event occurred in 1953.

Between 1900 and 1953 gas consumers increased from 4,000 to 125,000 as the population increased from 28,000 to 150,000. In part this was due to widening the area of supply as smaller areas were taken over. With wider responsibilities the Company decided to change it's name to The Southend on Sea and District Gas Company. Prepayment meters proved a great success, but the system involved the collection of enormous amounts of coin. To cope with this the prepayment department was motorised in 1906. Another idea was the showrooms where the public could view appliances, ask advice, and pay bills. The first showroom in Southend was destroyed by fire in 1901, but the Company bought buildings in York road in 1909 and rebuilt Offices and showrooms in 1927.
It is interesting to note that during the General Strike in 1926, all employees stayed at their posts. A conspicuous display of loyalty to the Company.

The Company was amalgamated with the big London company started by Fredrick Winsor, the Gas Light and Coke Company in 1932 and became their South Essex Division, then as Southend District of the North Thames Gas Board on nationalisation.
This happy seaside resort, which gives life, pleasure, and sun to the many who visit it, is indeed proud to have shared and continue to share in the many developments that are constantly taking place in the municipality.


6th August 2003
The sale of the old gasworks site on Southend seafront for a new hotel and housing development was finally completed by the council after 20 years of uncertainty. The site on Eastern Esplanade was been sold for nearly £4million to Robert Leonard Estates and Barratt Homes.
Robert Leonard, based in Southend, will develop the front of the site for a new quality hotel. The back of the land will be developed by Barratt for housing, including 44 affordable homes.
Following the sale's completion, a planning agreement was finalised and permission was given for the works, including decontamination of the site. Some work had already been carried out before planning permission was granted to find out how much decontamination will be needed.