New shopping centre for Southend

8:41am Thursday 29th November 2007

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A BOUTIQUE shopping centre, student accommodation and new teaching areas are set to be built near Farringdon car park in Southend.

Funding for the project is split between improving other areas in the town centre, but will also allow pay for the renovation of the Palace Hotel.

The cash likely to be spent on for four specific projects including work on the former Prudential building to provide offices and a new conference suite on the top floor, with views across the town centre.

The area around Farringdon car park could be developed into boutique shopping, student accommodation and "teaching spaces".

Money will also be spent converting the former Cliff Town United Reformed Church, in Nelson Street, Southend, into a new performance centre for the East 15 acting school.

Regeneration company Renaissance Southend said the cash would also mark the start of the final, big push to finish refurbishing the Palace Hotel.

The building has been shrouded in scaffolding for 18 months. Work is going on, but it is a long way from completion.

Renaissance Southend chairman Theo Steele said the further development of the university, particularly with the use of the Farringdon car park area was important towards the town's regeneration.

Mr Steele added: "We also have to ensure the Palace Hotel is finally finished off as a major icon for the town.

"In the early stages, we would also be looking at assisting with the refurbishment of Cliff Town church, which has been bought by the university to provide an important cultural area in the centre of the town."