THE relaunch of the Victoria shopping centre is being delayed by problems installing new lifts, it has been revealed.

The former Victoria Plaza shopping centre, at the top of Southend High Street, was supposed to be relaunched before Christmas last year, and was then delayed until Easter.

But Bill Harkness, managing director of Delamere Estates, which is carrying out the £27million refit of the 1960s centre, said the relaunch was being held up by problems installing the new lifts connecting it to Southend Victoria station and a new bus stop.

Mr Harkness said he was very frustrated by the delays and he had "read the riot act" to his contractors and told them the work had to be finished soon.

He said: "Fortunately, we are not losing money as the main contract is on a fixed price, but I am frustrated because everything should have been completed by now.

"We have had problems around the Victoria Station area and with the materials used by contractors, which led to much of it having to be rebuilt.

"I want to see everything finished as soon as possible so that we can go ahead and relaunch the centre."

Mr Harkness said it was also vital to get the links with the trains and buses working properly at the top of the High Street as soon as possible.

Among the work completed on the ageing shopping centre are improvements to the car park and a new roof, which has banished the Victoria's former nickname of Windy City, which it had because of its exposure to the elements.