A NEW adventure playground has opened close to Southend High Street as part of a £1 million project to regenerate the city centre.

Space at Elmer Square, near to the library and college, has been transformed into a calm green space and playground for youngsters.

The project aimed to find a way to make the area, which had been blighted by antisocial behaviour, more connected to the heart of the city.

Southend Council, Southend Bid, Focal Point gallery and the Community Safety Partnership worked together to realise the scheme.

This renovation forms part of The Southend Town Centre Interventions project which is a local government project supported by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP).

Echo: The communal spaceThe communal space (Image: Provided)

James Moyies, deputy to the councillor responsible for economic growth and development, promised future projects would be even more exciting and create a city centre feel similar to areas of London such as Camden Town or Carnaby Street.

He hopes the garden area will be used in the future for entertainment and education purposes, as well as for cultural events.

Mr Moyies added: “Looking ahead to the next phase of the area’s regeneration would see work extend to Southend Central station and the plaza area outside South Essex College - imagine Camden Town or Carnaby Street.

“We want to attract people from the high street and give them plenty of great reasons to want to visit what we hope will become a not so hidden gem.”

Adam Bryan, chief executive of SELEP, added: “We are delighted to see this new phase of town centre regeneration open in Southend, the nature of our town centres has changed and these spaces are now important cultural and community anchors.

“We are pleased to invest in this project to improve the physical environment and encourage footfall and future investment into the area.”