THE first phase of a multi-million pound revamp to rejuvenate a shopping centre on Canvey has been given the go ahead.

At a council meeting on Wednesday, councillors approved a £1.275million investment to transform the interior of the Knightswick Shopping Centre, in Foksville Road.  

Works will include the replacement of the building’s floors and ceilings, as well as the installation of new lighting.

This is just the first phase of a revamp of the site with a further report to be brought in “due course” regarding the exterior of the building.

Councillors are set to also make a decision too on proposals to invest a further £1.34 million to renovate the exterior of the building soon.

Dave Blackwell, Canvey Independent Party councillor and leader of Castle Point Council, said: “The centre is an important part of Canvey town centre, and we must ensure we maximise its potential.

“Our intention is that this work will encourage existing businesses to stay and attract new businesses to come.

“Not only that, modernising the Knightswick will benefit the wider town centre as we work to ensure it remains attractive to shoppers and thus maintain footfall.”

The Knightswick Shopping Centre was bought by the council in 2019 to ensure that the entre would not be lost to the people of Canvey.

It is anticipated the interior work on the centre will begin before the end of the 2023.

The centre will remain open throughout the renovations.

The report adds: “The motivating factor for the investment is the need for modernisation of the centre, both to improve aspects of its appearance but also to instil confidence in the tenants of the centre and businesses in the town centre that the council is investing in its asset.

“Furthermore, with the growth of the out of town offering at Roscommon Way, there is a need to ensure that the town centre remains attractive to business.”