It’s been a good year for Southend-on-Sea
It has been a good year for Renaissance Southend Limited (RSL), the Urban Regeneration Company for Southend-on-Sea, as it gears up to deliver on several key projects which are set to transform the town.
Even at a time of potential recession, major retail groups and hotel chains have expressed their total confidence in the future of Southend. Next have announced a new two floor outlet in The Victorias Centre to the north of the High Street, at the other end in The Royals Shopping Centre, H & M have taken a similar sized store.
On the seafront Rezidor has announced plans to refurbish the iconic Palace Hotel site into a new Park Inn and several other major hotel groups are expected to follow their lead in other parts of the town.
RSL is now looking ahead over the next two years after laying the foundations for the sustainable transformation of the town’s economy, achieved through a Partnership between the private and public sector at national, regional and local level.
The vision, to establish Southend as a prosperous 'city by the sea', serving the needs of its residents, visitors and catchment population and recognised as a regional centre for cultural and educational pursuit, is well under way.
Education - Planning for further expansion of South East Essex College and the University of Essex is well under way with schemes totalling some £150 million likely to reach fruition over the next three to four years. As part of these plans RSL has been instrumental in helping to secure some £900,000 in funding from EEDA which is to be used for the fitting out the former Clifftown United Reform Church as the new home for the University’s E15 Dance and Acting School.
The plans also involve the potential relocation of the civic library and a further £50 million scheme for the provision of 500 new apartments for students at nearby London Road together with replacement parking.
Further public realm improvements to upgrade the seafront and deliver improved transport linkages and green spaces are also well advanced.
Improvement in the quality of the Borough's employment, land supply and premises, with a focus on London Southend Airport, has also been a priority
A £20 million plan for the Clarence Road/Alexandra Street in the Clifftown area of Southend could provide up to 100 new homes and 5,300 sq metres of retail space. This scheme is still in the development process and is subject to providing alternative parking and identifying a development partner.
The plans which will be ready for delivery around 2010 involve the redevelopment of two surface car parks. The development will enhance the unique character of the area and will promote more interaction between the town centre and seafront.
Renaissance Southend is also working closely with Southend Borough Council to provide up to 30,000 sq metres of new commercial offices and 160 new homes around the Warrior Square area of the Town Centre. Work will be phased over three sites and is expected to be ready for development in 2011, subject to planning and public consultation. More than 1,000 new jobs are expected to be created by the scheme. The Warrior Square area of Southend also provides a major green space in the town centre providing an attractive focal point for all new developments and pland are advanced for further improvements and enhancement.
A major new scheme designed to attract even more of the country’s leading retailers to Southend is also expected to be ready from 2014. Situated in the St John’s area of the Town, it will provide more than 26,000 sq metres of retail space together with 500 new homes. The scheme is expected to integrate with the current Royals Shopping Centre at the seafront end of the High Street and will also include a new cultural building, leisure facilities and a possible digital exploration centre, linking to the Seafront.
A £75 million plan to develop an existing Sainsbury supermarket site in London Road into new Grade A offices together with residential, enhanced retail and leisure facilities is also in the planning stage.
The development could include 250 new homes, create an expected 1,300 new jobs and will provide a vital link with both of the Town’s mainline stations.
Significant regeneration is planned for Marine Plaza, at the eastern end of Southend seafront with a £75 million scheme involving the construction of casino, 100 room hotel and leisure facilities together with 126 new homes.
The scheme could create several hundred new jobs and is expected to be a significant attraction in its own right, adding to the tourist and cultural offer.
Plans are currently being finalised to improve public areas in the Town – both on the seafront with ‘City Beach’ and around Victoria Station. The plans will contribute some 10,000 sq metres of new space in the Victoria’s and nearly 22,000 sq metres of public space on the seafront.
As well as improving pedestrian access both schemes will significantly enhance and improve the environment for local people and visitors.
