LONG-AWAITED plans for a £70million seafront leisure complex must be scrapped and the proposed cinema, bowling alley and restaurants should be moved to the High Street, it has been claimed.

The Seaway development is set to replace the car park in Lucy Road, on Southend seafront, but has been hit by numerous delays in recent years.

Now, councillors and traders are saying the businesses should open in the Victoria Shopping Centre, empty units in the High Street, the airport business park or even be moved into Southend’s landmark Kursaal.

However, the deputy leader of Southend Council insisted the ideas “are not viable”.

The calls follow the announcement that an indoor playground offering trampolines, inflatables and a “ninja” assault course is set to join an Empire Cinema, Hollywood Bowl and Travelodge at the major new seafront complex.

Dan Nelson, Tory shadow councillor for economic recovery and community safety, said: “The airport business park could be used for the bowling alley and cinema as the council is struggling to get businesses in there.

“The Victoria Shopping Centre is partly empty and the Kursaal stands derelict and the high street is dead. Seaways is a white elephant and we do not know how much it will cost.

“The restaurants would work so well in the Kursaal and the trampoline park would be good for the shopping centre.”

Joan Tiney, 71, owner of The Borough Hotel on Southend seafront, added: “I would definitely support these businesses being put into other available site such as the Kursaal and our shopping centres which look a bit sad to be honest.

“I’ve been saying the plans need to be scrapped for some time.

“The shopping centres need some life put back in them and this would very much help.”

The Seaway scheme is being backed by £10million of council funding. Earlier this month, it was revealed project costs had jumped by another £20million, taking the total to an eye-watering £70million.

Martin Terry, Independent deputy leader of Southend Council, said: “The Seaway plans will go ahead. The businesses want to open there due to what is offers. It’s going to transform our high street and help the seafront traders. That amount of real estate not being is not good for the town.Using the Kursaal, shopping centre and business park are not viable options.”