SOUTH Essex town centres are in a strong position to bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic - with data showing people have not been deterred from visiting high streets.

Basildon and Southend ranked as second and third in the “top ten cities and towns recovering quickly from the pandemic”, according to a study from Centre for Cities.

The data, measuring footfall in town centres across the country, shows that Southend has returned to 53 per cent of its normal rate, while Basildon is at 49 per cent.

Community leaders have welcomed the news, which gives confidence that shoppers will flock to south Essex town centres when shops reopen next week.

Kevin Robinson, Southend Labour councillor for business, culture and tourism welcomed the findings of the think tank.

He said: “Anything that shows Southend in a positive light we welcome as a council. What is clear from this is that the think tank thinks we are going in the right direction with our plans to improve the high street and town centre.

“The council has been working with different groups and organisations to make sure we can get our high street ready and we know that people are out and about and back to work that this will to be readjusted.

“Obviously the potentially for the town’s economy to pick up was there with parts still continuing to work such as the airport, airport business park and we have a good town centre and seafront.

“I am pleased to see the findings from this think tank as I know how much work the business community has put in to keep us going during the coronavirus pandemic.”

The research uses anonymised mobile phone data to illustrate how high streets are easing from lockdown.

Labour leader of Basildon Council Gavin Callaghan said: “This is encouraging news for the Basildon borough – and I welcome the uplifting indications for our residents and economy.

“It comes as we prepare to return our High Streets to a new way of working from next week, while working to recover our towns over the months ahead.

“The first step for our economy next week is our Shop Local Shop Safe campaign to support retailers in the borough to get ready to reopen safely and shoppers to feel safe when using our shopping areas from next week.”