ALMOST £1million is set to be spent on overhauling a Canvey shopping centre in a bid to attract new business and draw in shoppers.

Castle Point Council leader, Dave Blackwell, has revealed that plans are at an “advanced stage” to revamp the Knightswick Shopping Centre after the council purchased the site in 2019.

Plans, set to cost in the region of £900,000, will be presented at a council meeting next month including a new entrance and improved paving.

Currently, half a dozen shops stand empty in the shopping centre, off Canvey High Street, and it is hoped the revamp will entice new businesses.

Mr Blackwell said: “We are looking at a new entrance, new lights and paving areas and want to make it more modern.

“We want to get in more footfall and we hope it helps trade too. Plans should be going to the council meeting next month so we are quite advanced with the plans.

“We want to get some big names in the centre as we have six or so empty shops there. We are testing the market to see what firms we can get in the centre and want to make it amazing.”

Mr Blackwell said he wants to see more community events all year round in another bid to increase visitor numbers.

In July 2019, Castle Point Council announced it was purchasing the freehold of the shopping centre on Canvey.

Linda Norton said: “We’ve been promised this for years so it’s about time. It needs work and is not attracting any business.

“I think it sounds like a good thing, people are often moaning online about the lack of shops and pavements.

“We could do with shoe and men’s clothes shops too so I hope this investment could bring in businesses like this.

“I also hope this could see more people stay on Canvey for shopping as people tend to go off the island for shops.”

At the time of the sale, the council also said it was planning to invest an initial £1.5million to improve the area in and around the centre.