A £600,000 boost for Southend's town centre has been revealed by housing and planning minister Yvette Cooper.

The Government minister made a whistle-stop visit to the town as part of her role in charge of the Thames Gateway development.

The new money will be initially spent on the plans for Warrior Square, including a revamped children's area and paved area for public entertainment, which are due to be backed by the council's cabinet today.

Ms Cooper said she hoped it would be the first of a continuing amount of money being put into open spaces across Thames Gateway South Essex.

She said: "It is important people have open spaces which they can enjoy and which makes the area they live and work in more pleasant.

"In Southend, there is also a major asset with the estuary and I hope we will be able to announce funding for new work at the estuary.

"The present funding will help deliver new cultural facilities and will boost Southend as a year-round tourist destination both for local residents and visitors.

"We will be launching the Thames Gateway Delivery Plan later this year which will show the concerns we have for the environment. There are many beautiful places within Thames Gateway South Essex and it is important they are developed so they can be enjoyed by everyone who lives and works in the area."

Ms Cooper visited the new University of Essex campus which received £14million in funding from the Thames Gateway Growth Area Fund.

She denied claims Thames Gateway had stalled in Southend, after the initial funding which led to improvements to Pier Hill and other work in the town.

She added: "I think the new university building is the most important example of what has been achieved in Southend by Thames Gateway funding.

"Education is important for the future of the area and the people who live there."

Mike Lambert, chief executive of urban regeneration company Renaissance Southend, said: "We hope the public realm will be a major focus of the next three years. We are hoping there will be further news of more funding at the Thames Gateway Forum at the end of the month."

What will be included

Plans proposed for Warrior Square include:

  • A paved area at the western end of the gardens for entertainment and other uses throughout the year
  • Improved access and visibility for pedestrians to and from the High Street
  • Public seating with new lighting and landscaping in the middle section of the gardens
  • An enclosed children's play area at the eastern end of the gardens.