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Updated: Tesco for Southend
3:11am Thursday 10th July 2008
THE centre of Southend could be transformed by a multi-million pound plan unveiled by supermarket giant Tesco.
The company is proposing to build a huge new Tesco Extra store which would create more than 600 new jobs. It would be a similar type of store to the one in Prince Avenue, Westcliff.
There will also be private and affordable apartments, new facilities for the Focus Youth Centre and four smaller spaces for shops, restaurants or cafes.
A new Royal Mail sorting office is also included as the existing building on the site would be demolished if the plans go ahead. An overhead walkway will lead from the new superstore to the Victoria shopping centre to link the development with town centre shops.
Tesco's corporate affairs manager Nick Gellatly, who is leading the scheme, said: "This is a very exciting project to be part of.
"The proposals are for a landmark mixed-use development which will bring a multimillion-pound investment and hundreds of jobs to the heart of Southend.
"We'd encourage everyone to come along and see the plans. We want to know what people think about them and whether there are views on how we can make them even better for Southend."
The whole project is being masterminded by Spenhill, the regeneration subsidiary of Tesco, which is launching a public consultation on its latest plans today.
A public exhibition is being held in the Victoria shopping centre up to 8pm today (Thursday), between 10am and 6pm tomorrow (Friday)and on Saturday from 10am to 2pm.
Tesco wants to hear from people about ways the plans can be improved before an application is submitted to the council.
Mr Gellatly said it was not possible at the moment to put an exact figure on the cost of the development as it could change following the public consultation.
But he added the cost would certainly be millions of pounds.
Your Say YourEcho
Reader, says...
8:58am Thu 10 Jul 08
As it says in the paper, it IS an opportunity to revitalise a part of town that badly needs it. It will encourage more people to shop here rather than travel out of town. On balance, I'm in favour.
Steve, Southend says...
9:02am Thu 10 Jul 08
152 wrote:Does that make money? No - then forget it. The town centre redevelopment is only concerned with cash generation, not providing facilities for locals.
One point, one question: Bring something better to Southend Town Centre, something like a new leisure pool that can be used by the locals. Whats going to happen to Sainsbury's when they move out?
It what we pay our Council tax for - shops and nice new double-glazed centrally heated houses for those on benefits.
1, Southend says...
9:34am Thu 10 Jul 08
Ivanna Goodhump, says...
9:45am Thu 10 Jul 08
Reader wrote:But at what expense to other local business's ?
The illustration on the front page of the Echo shows it as another big, boxy monolith for Southend's skyline. But then the B&Q it's replacing isn't a thing of beauty. As it says in the paper, it IS an opportunity to revitalise a part of town that badly needs it. It will encourage more people to shop here rather than travel out of town. On balance, I'm in favour.
Does the town really need another large supermarket ?
Are Tesco's planning improvements to the local infrastrucure ? - where is all the additional traffic going to go for example(on an already very busy junction/thoroughfar
e)
The biggest worry/issue here is the capability of the Tesco negotiating team and the complete inability of the Councillors who act on our behalf to stand up to Tesco.
Tesco will run rings around them and if they get their way Tesco will do everything in THEIR best interests. As can be seen elsewhere in the UK they only care about market share, not about the communities they are located in.
If this site is to be developed it needs to be done for the benfit of the residents of the town, on OUR terms.
Unfortunately based on our Councillors track record in these types of negotiation it end up a b*ggers muddle as usual.
Common Sense Colin, Southend says...
9:50am Thu 10 Jul 08
152 wrote:Why don't the council build some decent free pools down on the beach that are filled with each tide?
One point, one question: Bring something better to Southend Town Centre, something like a new leisure pool that can be used by the locals. Whats going to happen to Sainsbury's when they move out?
Similar to what was at Leigh a generation back.
One at Chalkwell, one in Southend and one in Shoebury.
Make them deep enough to swim in and properly maintained with sluice gates to allow them to be drained and inspected every week. no need for lifegaurds just clear signs stating "swim at your own risk" to keep the Health and Safety job protectors happy
Then people can swim when they want (seasons permitting) and it won't break the bank either
southendreb, southend says...
10:20am Thu 10 Jul 08
Sid Rotton for Mayor, Thotpebay Massive says...
11:18am Thu 10 Jul 08
Elliott, Thorpe Bay says...
12:03pm Thu 10 Jul 08
Steve, Leigh says...
12:37pm Thu 10 Jul 08
Ben, Southend on Sea says...
12:53pm Thu 10 Jul 08
Trunkymunghound, Essex says...
1:43pm Thu 10 Jul 08
The areas hardly well served by roads is it?
If you want log jams back to cuckoo corner and Hamlet court road then fine but don't whinge when the ambulance guys can't get out for you heart attack 'cause they're stuck in the merry Tesco shoppists.
If they must have a new one, why not wait until the money men have their way and have blasted their motorway through Priory Park then they can build it where the new Retail estate (oops sorry Southend Utd Stadium site)is on Fossett farm then we can have the delight of watching Tesco and Waitrose going for each others commercial throats.
Develop Short St but not with another soddin' Tesco
Local Girl, Southend says...
1:59pm Thu 10 Jul 08
guy, Leigh-On-Sea says...
2:29pm Thu 10 Jul 08
152 wrote:Sainsbury's aren't moving out they are allegedly going to have a smaller store on their current site and a new store with a petrol station at Roots Hall.
One point, one question: Bring something better to Southend Town Centre, something like a new leisure pool that can be used by the locals. Whats going to happen to Sainsbury's when they move out?
Andy, Southend says...
3:07pm Thu 10 Jul 08
Trunkymunghound wrote:What do you mean another ?. There is only a tiny one in the Royals and the one on the A127 is useless unless you drive, bring it on i say and get rid of that horrible B & Q store ! Bring it on I say !
We don't need another Tesco in the area and we certainly don't need it where planned. The areas hardly well served by roads is it? If you want log jams back to cuckoo corner and Hamlet court road then fine but don't whinge when the ambulance guys can't get out for you heart attack 'cause they're stuck in the merry Tesco shoppists. If they must have a new one, why not wait until the money men have their way and have blasted their motorway through Priory Park then they can build it where the new Retail estate (oops sorry Southend Utd Stadium site)is on Fossett farm then we can have the delight of watching Tesco and Waitrose going for each others commercial throats. Develop Short St but not with another soddin' Tesco
Susan, Essex says...
3:16pm Thu 10 Jul 08
Build something like a leisure place so kids and adults can use .
Trunkymunghound, Essex says...
3:32pm Thu 10 Jul 08
Use the tiny one in the Royals. If you don't drive they'll have all you need for the two bags you can carry
Peter, southend says...
4:18pm Thu 10 Jul 08
J, Benfleet says...
5:24pm Thu 10 Jul 08
Tony, Canewdon says...
6:31pm Thu 10 Jul 08
i's,Lidl's,Tesco's,W
aitrose,several somerfields,59 pubs,69 kebab shops,27 chip shops,77 chinese takeaways,2 brothels and strip clubs,several sex shops and 1 cinema!I conclude from this we are crying out for a new Tesco store....NOT!
maureen, shoeburyness says...
6:32pm Thu 10 Jul 08
james, southend says...
7:33pm Thu 10 Jul 08
southendreb, southend says...
8:24pm Thu 10 Jul 08
james wrote:perhaps you would like to put your money where your mouth is and show me all the shops in the that are occupied all the new flats that are occupied and all the restaurants that full every-night.
Why dont you moaning whinging nimbys just **** off to another town where you can all fester in your own misery and bitterness
You may be gullible and believe the hype but some of us are not.
southendreb, southend says...
8:31pm Thu 10 Jul 08
Andy wrote:if you open your eyes you will find TESCOS at Southchurch road,London road and hamlet court road, So i make that five
Trunkymunghound wrote: We don\'t need another Tesco in the area and we certainly don\'t need it where planned. The areas hardly well served by roads is it? If you want log jams back to cuckoo corner and Hamlet court road then fine but don\'t whinge when the ambulance guys can\'t get out for you heart attack \'cause they\'re stuck in the merry Tesco shoppists. If they must have a new one, why not wait until the money men have their way and have blasted their motorway through Priory Park then they can build it where the new Retail estate (oops sorry Southend Utd Stadium site)is on Fossett farm then we can have the delight of watching Tesco and Waitrose going for each others commercial throats. Develop Short St but not with another soddin\' TescoWhat do you mean another ?. There is only a tiny one in the Royals and the one on the A127 is useless unless you drive, bring it on i say and get rid of that horrible B & Q store ! Bring it on I say !
southendreb, southend says...
8:38pm Thu 10 Jul 08
james, thorpebay says...
8:56pm Thu 10 Jul 08
"Every little helps"- are we sure. yes cut down on tescos and help save our town. people of southend speak out please!
danny, southend says...
9:38pm Thu 10 Jul 08
mail.co.uk with the subject as tesco and i will give you the full details. thank you.
wakering lad, great wakering says...
10:28pm Thu 10 Jul 08
I then walked along Short Street and the vision is so exiting, a run down B&Q a 20 year old Royal Mail building and a car pound.
Surely the area is need of regeneration and as long as the posties dont lose there jobs, I believe the plan is that Royal Mail will remain in Short Street, how can anyone be negative as this development would allow the plaza to fill its vacant units and have a supermarket in town as opppsed to out of town.My only worry is that it will split the high street M&S and the Royals etc at one end and Tescos at the other
amb pers, southend says...
3:04am Fri 11 Jul 08
Gerald, Redhill says...
7:56am Fri 11 Jul 08
When I seldom retusn to see members of my family I despaior as to what a dump Southend noe is. Tesco can only revitalise a down market town and all the residents do is winge as they sink in there quogmire.Do they hoestly like living in a tip? as to drawing people to Southend that stopped years ago all you attract now it seems are DHSS claiments.
Henry Carter, Southend says...
12:42pm Fri 11 Jul 08
Gerald wrote:Thats wired I moved from Redhill to Southend and there you are going the other way!
I was brought up in Southend many years ago and left in my early 20s. When I seldom retusn to see members of my family I despaior as to what a dump Southend noe is. Tesco can only revitalise a down market town and all the residents do is winge as they sink in there quogmire.Do they hoestly like living in a tip? as to drawing people to Southend that stopped years ago all you attract now it seems are DHSS claiments.
The reason I moved to Southend was work I perfer it here than I did in Redhill, to me Redhill was too quite it was dead wellapart from the Gatwick Airport movements!
The plans look great such a shame people are so against improvements to the town.
Like a friend of mine once said.
"Its my way or noway"
Badger, Belfairs Woods says...
2:00pm Fri 11 Jul 08
selena, southend says...
2:43pm Fri 11 Jul 08
Ian, Southend says...
4:16pm Fri 11 Jul 08
What about a replacement for Warriors.
There is more to life than shops, shops, shops. We have empty shops all over town, do we need more.
We need a public pool in town, not out of town (note Garons over 2 miles from Southend).
Shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops, shops..
southendreb, southend says...
4:26pm Fri 11 Jul 08
Henry Carter wrote:If as you say people winging just perhaps its for a reason. To watch the men in suits destroy the town a lot of people love.Are you sure your friend is not on the council as that is their attitude its my way or noway , they usually have their way and noway does it get built.
Gerald wrote: I was brought up in Southend many years ago and left in my early 20s. When I seldom retusn to see members of my family I despaior as to what a dump Southend noe is. Tesco can only revitalise a down market town and all the residents do is winge as they sink in there quogmire.Do they hoestly like living in a tip? as to drawing people to Southend that stopped years ago all you attract now it seems are DHSS claiments.Thats wired I moved from Redhill to Southend and there you are going the other way! The reason I moved to Southend was work I perfer it here than I did in Redhill, to me Redhill was too quite it was dead wellapart from the Gatwick Airport movements! The plans look great such a shame people are so against improvements to the town. Like a friend of mine once said. \"Its my way or noway\"
IT is a bit naive to think that a supermarket and a few flats are going to save the town. The man from tesco was we need more more shops amid a shopping centre full of empty shops.
guy, Leigh-On-Sea says...
4:35pm Fri 11 Jul 08
Tesco v Spineless Councillors - who will win ?, Cloud cuckoo land says...
4:52pm Fri 11 Jul 08
southendreb wrote:Some people seem to think that because an area needs redeveloping we should accept everything Tesco propose irrespective of its longterm impact on the towns economy.
Henry Carter wrote:If as you say people winging just perhaps its for a reason. To watch the men in suits destroy the town a lot of people love.Are you sure your friend is not on the council as that is their attitude its my way or noway , they usually have their way and noway does it get built. IT is a bit naive to think that a supermarket and a few flats are going to save the town. The man from tesco was we need more more shops amid a shopping centre full of empty shops.Gerald wrote: I was brought up in Southend many years ago and left in my early 20s. When I seldom retusn to see members of my family I despaior as to what a dump Southend noe is. Tesco can only revitalise a down market town and all the residents do is winge as they sink in there quogmire.Do they hoestly like living in a tip? as to drawing people to Southend that stopped years ago all you attract now it seems are DHSS claiments.Thats wired I moved from Redhill to Southend and there you are going the other way! The reason I moved to Southend was work I perfer it here than I did in Redhill, to me Redhill was too quite it was dead wellapart from the Gatwick Airport movements! The plans look great such a shame people are so against improvements to the town. Like a friend of mine once said. \"Its my way or noway\"
Our spineless Councillors actually have a bargaining chip here (although I doubt they have the nouse or the bottle to use it) namely the ownership of the Youth Centre and the car park behind it.
Tesco will be reluctant to develop without these as it limits the site potential enormously.
So come on Council - show us you have a backbone and stop this proposal in its tracks unless something arises that benefits the whole town.
I won't hold my breath !
jimmy, southend says...
5:01pm Fri 11 Jul 08
Jimmy (World champion mass - debater, his council house says...
5:13pm Fri 11 Jul 08
jimmy wrote:Thanks for that useful contribution to the debate ... :)
you bunch of sad C**cks
teresa, short street says...
9:11am Sat 12 Jul 08
jd, sos says...
1:44pm Sat 12 Jul 08
teresa wrote:Sell to Tesco, along with the other 5 residents you will make a mint and buy a nice house some where else
I live in one of the six houses there on short street and no one has thought about us in all of this.
Paul, Southend on Sea says...
3:31pm Sat 12 Jul 08
Moaning about a swimming pool has little value to this particular development as this is a private firm wanting to buy land with private money and develop it into something better than what's already there.
And what's already there? A derelict store, a youth centre that's seen better days, a small council owned car park with 10 whole spaces, and a sorting office.
Before I went to the propsal, my biggest concerns were the road infrastructure in the area, and the visual impact of such a big development.
Have to say that the developers have done their research well. Remember, this isn't a renaissance Southend scheme with pretty drawings. There were well produced booklets & videos to show the detail of the plans.
Focus would be replaced with a newer and bigger building further down Short Street - and the old one won't close until the new one opens. The sorting office would be rebuilt (again with private money). And a large number of apartments would be provided - and that's a pretty good location to live, right by the station with a supermarket downstairs. Plus of course the jobs created, blah blah - but that was inevitable.
What they told me that I liked is that they're going to be shifting the entire plot back a bit from Queensway so that extra lanes can be added. This will give a decidated filter lane onto Short Street.
So I've not really got a reason to be against the development. Transport links are ok, the roads will be ok, and there will be a good link with the Victoria centre.
Now with a big store lined up for the area, hopefully other national chains will be drawn to the vacant shop units in the Victoria.
The town needs progress. Inevitably people will dislike change, but having this facility in the town centre will benefit thousands.
leigh, southend says...
9:08pm Sun 13 Jul 08
Janos Morrissey, Southend-on-sea says...
1:31pm Mon 14 Jul 08
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An artist's impression of the new development
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152, Rochford says...
4:58am Thu 10 Jul 08
Bring something better to Southend Town Centre, something like a new leisure pool that can be used by the locals.
Whats going to happen to Sainsbury's when they move out?