Developer appointed to transform Canvey town centre

8:20am Tuesday 12th February 2013 in Castle Point

Canvey town centre is set for a makeover Canvey town centre is set for a makeover

THE £50million plan to transform Canvey town centre has moved a step closer after a developer was appointed for the project.

Aquila House Holdings will help revive run-down shops, create tree-lined public pathways, ensure better links between the town centre and Canvey Lake, more youth facilities, and the introduction of two-way traffic and on-street parking in the town.

The firm, which has links to Canvey, specialise in creating retail developments and is behind the building of a 300,000sq ft shopping centre in Chelmsford that will be anchored by John Lewis.

Castle Point Council leader and chairman of the Castle Point Regeneration Partnership Pam Challis said: “We have had a lot of interest from developers prepared to invest in Canvey town centre, even in the current difficult economic conditions.

“I am delighted that a quality company such as Aquila are prepared to work with us to bring forward a £50million scheme that will transform Canvey town centre, making it a first class destination for both residents and visitors.”

The project has been led by the Castle Point Regeneration Partnership and after two years of consultation, council meetings and talks with traders, the council gave the ambitious Canvey masterplan the go ahead in April last year.

Comments (10)

8:30am Tue 12 Feb 13

AndyBSG says...

Although this investment in Canvey is welcome, I have to say it runs the risk of becoming another 'White Elephant'.

The reason the Town Centre on Canvey has become a ghost town is not going to be solved by redevelopment.

The population on Canvey is generally quite old due to the fact that most of the housing on the Island is made up of small one or two bed bungalows and anyone under 50 in the Town on a Saturday is a rarity.

I can't see there being the footfall needed justify such a huge development and little old Doris with her shopping trolley isn't going to be spending huge sums of money in Top Shop or River Island.
Although this investment in Canvey is welcome, I have to say it runs the risk of becoming another 'White Elephant'. The reason the Town Centre on Canvey has become a ghost town is not going to be solved by redevelopment. The population on Canvey is generally quite old due to the fact that most of the housing on the Island is made up of small one or two bed bungalows and anyone under 50 in the Town on a Saturday is a rarity. I can't see there being the footfall needed justify such a huge development and little old Doris with her shopping trolley isn't going to be spending huge sums of money in Top Shop or River Island. AndyBSG

8:52am Tue 12 Feb 13

upset says...

AndyBSG wrote:
Although this investment in Canvey is welcome, I have to say it runs the risk of becoming another 'White Elephant'.

The reason the Town Centre on Canvey has become a ghost town is not going to be solved by redevelopment.

The population on Canvey is generally quite old due to the fact that most of the housing on the Island is made up of small one or two bed bungalows and anyone under 50 in the Town on a Saturday is a rarity.

I can't see there being the footfall needed justify such a huge development and little old Doris with her shopping trolley isn't going to be spending huge sums of money in Top Shop or River Island.
You have not been to Canvey for a while I think and better shops will encourage more to stay and or visit the Island for shopping.
[quote][p][bold]AndyBSG[/bold] wrote: Although this investment in Canvey is welcome, I have to say it runs the risk of becoming another 'White Elephant'. The reason the Town Centre on Canvey has become a ghost town is not going to be solved by redevelopment. The population on Canvey is generally quite old due to the fact that most of the housing on the Island is made up of small one or two bed bungalows and anyone under 50 in the Town on a Saturday is a rarity. I can't see there being the footfall needed justify such a huge development and little old Doris with her shopping trolley isn't going to be spending huge sums of money in Top Shop or River Island.[/p][/quote]You have not been to Canvey for a while I think and better shops will encourage more to stay and or visit the Island for shopping. upset

9:15am Tue 12 Feb 13

alsopuzzled says...

Actually no one is spending huge amounts of money in Top Shop or River Island. It is time retailers woke up to the fact that not everyone is under 25
Actually no one is spending huge amounts of money in Top Shop or River Island. It is time retailers woke up to the fact that not everyone is under 25 alsopuzzled

9:43am Tue 12 Feb 13

black jack ketchum says...

Don't hold your breath!

Supposed to be happening in Basildon/wickford/La
indon but nothing!
Don't hold your breath! Supposed to be happening in Basildon/wickford/La indon but nothing! black jack ketchum

11:35am Tue 12 Feb 13

Cosmo Spring says...

they're going to model it on the highly successful redevelopment of Laindon Shopping Centre
they're going to model it on the highly successful redevelopment of Laindon Shopping Centre Cosmo Spring

12:12pm Tue 12 Feb 13

marshman says...

I hope their links to Canvey are of the strong type otherwise there could be trouble if it all goes pear shape for them.
I hope their links to Canvey are of the strong type otherwise there could be trouble if it all goes pear shape for them. marshman

2:34pm Tue 12 Feb 13

CURLYTOPKNOT says...

In reply to the comment by upset, i cannot see how it will bring shoppers onto canvey from other areas, not unless the traffic system is greatly improved.
In reply to the comment by upset, i cannot see how it will bring shoppers onto canvey from other areas, not unless the traffic system is greatly improved. CURLYTOPKNOT

3:13pm Tue 12 Feb 13

upset says...

CURLYTOPKNOT wrote:
In reply to the comment by upset, i cannot see how it will bring shoppers onto canvey from other areas, not unless the traffic system is greatly improved.
It's better to live in hope than die in dis spare.
[quote][p][bold]CURLYTOPKNOT[/bold] wrote: In reply to the comment by upset, i cannot see how it will bring shoppers onto canvey from other areas, not unless the traffic system is greatly improved.[/p][/quote]It's better to live in hope than die in dis spare. upset

7:39pm Thu 14 Feb 13

iknowbetter says...

upset wrote:
CURLYTOPKNOT wrote:
In reply to the comment by upset, i cannot see how it will bring shoppers onto canvey from other areas, not unless the traffic system is greatly improved.
It's better to live in hope than die in dis spare.
To the rest of us it's "despair"
[quote][p][bold]upset[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]CURLYTOPKNOT[/bold] wrote: In reply to the comment by upset, i cannot see how it will bring shoppers onto canvey from other areas, not unless the traffic system is greatly improved.[/p][/quote]It's better to live in hope than die in dis spare.[/p][/quote]To the rest of us it's "despair" iknowbetter

10:25am Fri 15 Feb 13

streetboy75 says...

upset wrote:
AndyBSG wrote: Although this investment in Canvey is welcome, I have to say it runs the risk of becoming another 'White Elephant'. The reason the Town Centre on Canvey has become a ghost town is not going to be solved by redevelopment. The population on Canvey is generally quite old due to the fact that most of the housing on the Island is made up of small one or two bed bungalows and anyone under 50 in the Town on a Saturday is a rarity. I can't see there being the footfall needed justify such a huge development and little old Doris with her shopping trolley isn't going to be spending huge sums of money in Top Shop or River Island.
You have not been to Canvey for a while I think and better shops will encourage more to stay and or visit the Island for shopping.
I agree, its not just old people here and if there was some better shops, it would not make us drive to lakeside. i cant see it happing for another couple of years tho, its tooke this long to draw up some plans LOL
[quote][p][bold]upset[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]AndyBSG[/bold] wrote: Although this investment in Canvey is welcome, I have to say it runs the risk of becoming another 'White Elephant'. The reason the Town Centre on Canvey has become a ghost town is not going to be solved by redevelopment. The population on Canvey is generally quite old due to the fact that most of the housing on the Island is made up of small one or two bed bungalows and anyone under 50 in the Town on a Saturday is a rarity. I can't see there being the footfall needed justify such a huge development and little old Doris with her shopping trolley isn't going to be spending huge sums of money in Top Shop or River Island.[/p][/quote]You have not been to Canvey for a while I think and better shops will encourage more to stay and or visit the Island for shopping.[/p][/quote]I agree, its not just old people here and if there was some better shops, it would not make us drive to lakeside. i cant see it happing for another couple of years tho, its tooke this long to draw up some plans LOL streetboy75

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