Basildon has often been defined by outsiders looking in, from tabloid headlines to political stereotypes. However these national narratives have never captured the true character of our town.

Whilst our Brutalist streets may be top-down in design, they are ground-up in spirit. We are working-class and proud. We cultivate a ‘can do’ mentality. We don’t follow the crowd, we lead. This makes us a place of pioneers. From electronic music and street-led creativity to TikTok and digital-native platforms, our corner of Essex has consistently produced culture that travels far beyond its borders. .