A DEVELOPER set to rebuild Pitsea shopping centre has reassured traders and residents the popular market held on the site will stay.

London and Cambridge Properties is behind the £30million to £50million project, which includes a proposal for six large shops, a supermarket and a petrol station.

The developer will submit a planning application to revamp the Northlands Pavement site within the next two months.

Serious concern was raised about the popular market because developers could not confirm whether it would remain.

But Nick Burgess, a director of London and Cambridge Prop-erties, said a market was in the plan. He said: ”The intention is to retain the market in some form, but it may possibly be smaller than it already is, and could be moved to another location.

“At this stage I cannot say where this might be.

“It has been a joint effort between us as developers and the council, because our plans are dependent on their requirements for the area, which they really want to see go forward.”

Funke Owoade, 34, owner of Jes Beauty Salon, in Pitsea shopping centre, says traders are still concerned about the plans.

“It might be good for the developers and the council to bring life back to Pitsea, but where does this leave us? This has been my livelihood for two years.

“For the community it would be a good thing in the long run, but our focus is where do we stand now?

“We want to know how this will affect us as business owners, because we haven’t been consulted yet.”

London and Cambridge Properties owns the lease to the site and plans to hold talks with business owners in the centre about buying out their properties for the proposed regeneration scheme.

The project would take about three years to complete, and is likely to involve the demolition of stores around the market.

The developer plans to meet Basildon Council officials on September 1 to discuss the proposal.