MUSIC, entertainment, arts, culture and a new market will spearhead a creative “mecca” in the heart of Southend in the fight back from the pandemic.

Southend Council’s ruling cabinet has backed an ambitious vision for “culture-led regeneration” of the town, creating a haven for the arts peppered around the High Street.

The site of Forum II in Elmer Approach – an extension to the Forum Library – which was scrapped last year, could form the centrepiece of the proposed “arts quarter”.

Anne Jones, Labour councillor responsible for communities and housing said: “I’m really excited about this. I thought how great to turn what was Forum II into something that really fits the moment and that we can really deliver in a way that fits the current society.

“I’ve missed the arts, missed theatre, missed dance and actually we can do some of that in small ways and grow it. Like throwing a pebble into the pond t will just ripple out all across the town. We’d see events at Warrior Square and Chalkwell Park.”

Carole Mulroney, Lib Dem councillor responsible for culture, added: “We can start to bring that life back to the town by concentrating on the town centre. I think it’s a real opportunity to put in the infrastructure we need to run a much better market because it’s a little bit sporadic at the moment and that’s often due to where the power is and where the access is.

“We’ve got East 15 acting school nearby. We are poised to be able to bring some of what they do to the town centre. We could see some of the groups that played in pubs that haven’t been able to. I think it’s a really great opportunity.”

The council will look at providing opportunities for community spaces for arts and crafts within the Victoria Centre, which it recently bought.

However, Martin Terry, councillor responsible for public safety, said culture was not the only consideration if the High Street is to survive.

He said: “The High Street is probably the biggest challenge we’ve got in the town. There’s lots and lots of empty property down there and we’ve got to think about how we can reimagine the High Street. What are we going to do with it?

“I’m not pouring cold water on this. I really like the culture thing but we can’t delude ourselves into thinking culture is going to lead us out of the current economic challenge.”