RESTORING Southend’s York Road market could cost nearly £3million, according to a council report.

The town centre market was shut on October 17 following a damning health and safety report on the state of the building.

Now Southend Council’s cabinet will have to decide on its future by considering four options at its meeting next Tuesday.

The options are: Total demolition and full reinstatement at an estimated cost of £2.9million.

Comprehensive improvements to the premises relating to emergency health, safety and statutory repairs only at an esimated cost of £2.3 million.

Emergency health, safety and statutory repairs as outlined in the condition survey at an estaimated cost of £1.45million plus £1million for later refurbishment and modernisation.

Demolition pending regeneration of the site at an estimated cost of £350,000.

Sally Holland, director of support services, said: “Discussions on the future of the market have been taking place for some time and the council has been working closely with the traders to look at its viability.

“When the survey was undertaken, we realised the building was deteriorating much more quickly than was suggested by the survey last year.

“The cabinet will now consider the feasibility of each option, the requirements of the tenants and the long-term prospects for this part of the town, before any decision is made.”

Council deputy leader John Lamb added: “It was not an easy decision for anyone to make as we are talking about people’s livelihoods.

“The one thing you have to remember is that no-one was killed or injured. We acted quickly because if we knew the condition of the building and did nothing about that, it could easily have happened.”