With the news that plans for a huge new 5,000-seater arena for live music, sports, exhibitions and conferences could be revived, we turned to our readers for their thoughts.

Gavin Callaghan, Basildon Council’s Labour leader, is planning to revive plans for an arena in Basildon town centre, and the council is hoping to acquire the Westgate Shopping Centre as a prime location.

The plans, first touted in 2020, were for a 2,000 to 5,000 seat events centre, with Mr Callaghan saying that it could be used for “events, conferences, snooker, darts, live music, entertainment and e-sports.”

Colin Grant said: "A larger music venue to compete with the Towngate Theatre would be no bad thing.

"Live music is loved in Essex and take the Cliffs Pavilion as an example, they attract big name artists.

"A 5,000 size venue sounds about the right size."

Ben Higgins agreed with the comments on live music, adding "it would be great to finally start to see some decent bands do gigs in Essex."

Gord H said: "Yes great, inject life into the town.

"We need stuff like this also it would be great if a few big stores return to the town centre.

"Here is a radical idea, buy the carparks as well and make parking free, then you might have some success."