A TRIO of Basildon councillors has been asked to look at ways to revamp the rundown Laindon Centre and help its struggling businesses.

The council is setting up a scrutiny committee to review the options for the Sixties shopping centre, which has been in decline for the more than two decades.

Two months ago, BDO which last year took over the centre’s day-to-day running when former owner Laindon Regeneration went under, said talks with a company about redevelopment were “well progressed”. Since then, no more news has emerged.

Residents and traders are tired of repeatedly reading such reports, only for nothing to come of them.

The cross-party group of councillors will look at options, including the possible use by the council of compulsory purchase powers to take over the centre and push forward regeneration.

It will also look at short-term measures to improve its appearance and deal with antisocial behaviour and drainage problems.

The group’s remit will also allow it to look at why Laindon Regeneration went under in May 2013.

The group was the idea of Wickford Ukip councillor Alan Ball, who will be one of its members, along with Independent Labour councillor Phil Rackley, and one of the area’s ward councillors, yet to be named.

Mr Ball said: “We need to look at the short-term options and see what we can do while we wait for the administrators. It looks a right state down there.

“Laindon might not be my ward, but something needs doing. It’s one of the major issues in the borough and we need to get this right.”

However trader Roy Hudson, who has run the Pints & Litres off licence in the centre for 18 years, was highly sceptical the group would make any difference to the centre, off Laindon High Road.

He said: “We get our hopes up, but then nothing ever seems to progress. “We’ve heard promises so many times before.

“The centre just keeps going down and down.

“The other day, I went for a walk and saw just eight people.

“It needs to be totally redeveloped – I want a new shop for us.”

Richard Moore, Tory councillor responsible for regeneration, said: “There hasn’t been any movement with the Laindon Centre, and it’s down to the scrutiny committee to look at it and see what opportunities we have.

“The problem is we are in the hands of an administrator and without knowing what it plans to do, it’s difficult to move forward.

It’s very frustrating.

“The Laindon Centre absolutely remains a priority for us at the council.”