Basildon’s state of the art future

An exciting transformation is just around the corner for Basildon and its surrounding suburbs – yet even a global pandemic cannot stop the town’s unstoppable determination on completing this billion-pound regeneration project, if it means background work only for its council leaders.

It’s easy to forget that such a large area like Basildon is still only in its early years compared to other Essex towns such as Colchester, and it may have come a long way in the 70 years that it has been standing, but the council assure us that there is still a lot more we can do to the town, with the billion-pound investment being just a fraction of what’s to come.  

If we recap on some of Basildon’s previous recent investments like the 2010 Basildon sign inspired by the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles, or big companies trading internationally from their base in Basildon such as Ford UK, CNH Agriculture and the 2017 Costa Coffee Roastery (being the largest Coffee Roastery in Europe), this has all helped Basildon receive global recognition from places as far away as Australia, who once actually covered the story of the iconic sign here in Basildon, on its official opening date.  

Apart from the construction of the 10 screen Empire Cinema in East Square and the restaurant complex surrounding it which has already seen work begin, here is what you can expect from the major project.

• A 5,000 Seat, multi-events arena, which could hold potential music concerts, sporting events and include a conference centre. First designs show the arena situated directly next to the council offices in Basildon Town Centre.
• A brand-new Youth Zone which is set to cost a staggering £8.4 million also due to be built in the town centre along with the proposed arena. 
• 94 converted apartments in the Acorn house building at Great Oaks Basildon, which will contain mainly one and possibly two bedrooms. 
• An exceptional high-tech college campus, focusing on digital technology located on the old Basildon Market site. 
• And the site of the Old Robins cinema which closed its doors back in 1999 which the council bought as part of the redevelopment scheme. Although there is no word of what this could become. 
• Along with all this a huge improvement of the bus and train station is set to take place to help the boost of transport links.  

This article was written by Radio Club member, Lachlan. Any views expressed belong to the member, not to Gateway 97.8