IT HAS been a staple of Southend life since 1988 when Neighbours star Jason Donovan did the honours and declared it open.

Now the Royals shopping centre is set for a bold new era under new management – the owners of the highly successful Roslin Beach Hotel in Thorpe Bay.

As we reflect on the future, many of us will remember the Royals when it was first built.

The food court – opened by Lenny Henry - boasted a range of cuisines from around the world…but, in reality, had few customers.

Debenhams, Littlewoods and the Index catalogue stores and Boots were among the first tenants.

But fast-forward 34 years, what happens now? With retail struggling and big chains going to the wall, what’s next for the Royals?

High Street traders hope adding a department store and independent shops must be among the top priorities for the new owners.

Southend business bosses are hopeful the new owners of the centre, the Regis Group, will be able to use their knowledge of the city to transform the site and breathe new life into it.

The firm, a real estate investor based in Warrior Square which also owns the Roslin Beach Hotel, has officially struck a deal to take over the site, with bosses aiming to “ensure the success and longevity of the shopping centre”.

Sara Kemp, 39, cover manager at the Remedy Tea Shop on High Street, is among those hopeful the new owners will bring new ideas.

She said: “I think it is positive that Regis Group has taken over the centre, it’s a well-known firm and I think it could be in a better place to boost the centre due to its knowledge of the city centre.

“I would like to see more high street shops there and especially big names like John Lewis. There is nothing like that in the area so I often go to Lakeside for shops like this.

“We really need more shops like this in Southend.”

Sheila Raven, 63, manager at Cards Direct in High Street, added: “We need more shops and businesses in the centre, and I’d like to see department stores and toy shops too.

“I do think we need variety. I think it’s not just shops that we need, but big brands as well.

“I think it’s probably a good move that the business has taken over the centre as it knows the city centre and area.

“It’s also a well known business in the city too and I hope it’s in a position to really make some great improvements.”

When the shopping centre was initially put on the market in May 2021, the potential to build flats in the former Debenhams store was touted by estate agents Savills. Savills was working on behalf of Cromwell Property Group to sell the Royals, which was initially on sale for £13.42million.

It is unclear how much the centre sold for, but it is believed to be a multi-million pound deal.

John Clements, 51, owner of Spirit clothing store in High Street, said he wanted to see smaller firms move into the centre, rather than bigger chains.

“I’d like to see a lot more independent businesses. I think like a food court area and even a food market could work well there. I do think that having smaller independent businesses would help drive up footfall.”

Echo readers had their say.

Kay Tippin posted on Facebook: “How about a pool and spa? There is nothing like this for the whole of Southend.”