LONG-AWAITED plans to revive Canvey’s town centre, which could include a town square and a new market, are being discussed.

Talks between council bosses and a shopping centre have begun in a bid to bring forward a scheme to attract shoppers to Canvey, four years after the plug was pulled on a major plan.

It comes as Castle Point Council’s regeneration team bids to secure funding from the Government’s Coastal Community Fund, after successfully getting onto the funding shortlist. Now it hopes to grab a share of £10million of grant money.

The council also hopes to work alongside the Manchester Pension Fund, which owns the Knightswick Centre.

Council bosses say they hope to create a consistent theme for the town centre, which the Echo understands will not include any additional flats.

Dave Blackwell, leader of the Canvey Independent Party is positive about the progress so far. He said: “It’s very difficult to get on to the shortlist, so it’s a feather in the cap for the council, and gives us a good chance of getting the funding.

“If we can get anything around the £1million mark, then we’ll be happy.”

Norman Smith, Tory councillor responsible for regeneration and business liaison, says that early discussions have proved positive and hopes it will herald a long-awaited revival on Canvey.

He said: “We are meeting behind the scenes to work things out, and it’s important we are working with the Knightswick. Once we know what funding could be available, then we can get plans down,

“The idea is to improve the street scene and create something which ties the town centre together. We will look at what other towns have done with their regeneration.

“That’s exactly what we are looking to do with Canvey. We are also hoping to work with Essex County Council and Castle View School to make improvements to where the road has been damaged by buses.”

It comes as the Echo reported last week that an empty industrial unit in Folksville Road will be replaced with ten new flats - despite the site being earmarked for retail use.