Southend Council is closer to reaching its target of £19 million to expand The Forum after receiving a healthy cash injection from a regional business group.

A second phase of development at the Forum on Elmer Square, Southend, has attracted £6m of funding from the South Essex Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP).

The contribution will help fund a £19m expansion of The Forum – the country’s first combined academic and public library – into the area in front of the award-winning building and is a joint venture between Southend Borough Council and South Essex College.

Southend Borough Council has budgeted £2.7m towards the project while South Essex College is contributing the remainder.

South Essex College is yet to receive its funding.

The two partners have commissioned a detailed feasibility report, which considered a number of options for the development and identified an option that would provide around 5,000m2 of development space, subject to detailed design.

The council is anticipating that the new building will provide contemporary and community art gallery space and associated office, shop, cafe and project space to expand the existing gallery offer at the Forum as well as digital workspace for creative digital industries.

Adam Bryan, Managing Director of South East Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “We are delighted to have been able to award £6m Local Growth Fund to another exciting and innovative project in Southend.

“This project will enhance the existing role of the Forum in providing an excellence space for the community and being a significant contributor to the economic vibrancy of the town. We are thrilled to play our part in supporting it.”

Councillor Ann Holland, responsible for Culture, Tourism and The Economy, said: “Following the success of the Forum, which has attracted over 1.75 million visitors since it opened in 2013, we have been exploring the second phase of the development with partners and funders.

“Discussion with partners has identified a significant need for additional and reconfigured space by South Essex College.

“The mix of accommodation will, we believe, create a vibrant and lively environment that should enhance the town’s educational quarter and also encourage the public and students to visit and use Elmer Square more.”

“I am delighted that SELEP confirmed their funding towards the project, which will further build on Southend’s strong reputation as a centre of education, culture and commerce.”

The expected completion is by September 2021.