Southend High Street New Look could be bulldozed

The proposals form part of Southend Council’s wide ranging city centre strategy – a masterplan to spur economic resurgence, reimagine the High Street, and deliver new forms of green transport.

The plan, which was formulated by expert advisors and public consultations, cost £120,000 to develop, is not set in stone – but lays out innovative ideas to improve the city centre.

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Among the proposals are plans to demolish the New Look extension of Victoria Shopping Centre – bought by the council for £10 million in 2020.

The closed off High Street gateway (Image: Image:)

“We want to create a vibrant and welcoming wide-open space that entices people to come and shop,” Councillor Ian Gilbert, responsible for economic recovery, regeneration and housing said.

“We envisage a colourful space with public art, greenery and better lighting to make a more attractive gateway to the High Street.”

Belfairs resident Stephen Aylen, 65, says the move would be “brilliant” for the city centre.

View from the High Street side - Image: Google Maps (Image: Image: Google Maps)

“At the moment you cannot see down the High Street from Victoria gateway,” he said.

"A long time ago now you could see the whole way down and offered a great view."

He added: “I walked through there the other evening, and it was very dark and grim and almost put me off from walking down the High Street.”

Council documents, which estimate the works could take up to six months to complete, state: “The New Look extension provides relatively little additional to the shopping centre, but has a far greater negative impact on the visibility and pedestrian experience of going to and from Victoria Station and the High Street.”

Scott Inness, 45, from Southend, said: “It’s very grotty as it currently is and could do with some space and colour.

"It's good to see the council is invested in trying to make the High Street a desirable place to visit and shop again as it has a bit of a bad reputation nowadays."

View from above - Image: Google Maps (Image: Image: Google Maps)

“Hopefully its enough to bring the High Street back to life and get some businesses to fill those empty shops that currently litter the road."

The move would not see the clothing giant banished from the High Street, as New Look would be offered a new unit, within the shopping centre under the plans.

It would follow a £4 million renovation which saw a wayfinding stone – showing key dates and figures in the history of Southend – as well as new seating, trees and paving installed along the High Street earlier this year.

“We have already put in some effort to improve that end of the High Street but it’s still a little unwelcoming,” Mr Gilbert said.

"But at the same time, we absolutely do not want to lose a major business like New Look from our High Street so it is important we find a compromise that can accomdate that."