Southend on Sea – Seaway Leisure

A major town centre site located east of the High Street and next to the Royals Shopping Centre. The 2.3 hectare site, which is currently used as a surface car park, also benefits from being close to the sea front and the many of Southend’s leisure destinations.

Turnstone Estates has agreed the conditional acquisition of a long leasehold interest in the site from Southend on Sea Borough Council. Also included in the plans are the site of the former Rossi Ice Cream Factory and Numbers 1-3 & 29, Herbert Grove, which were purchased by the Council in 2008 to enable future regeneration, in a deal funded by the Homes and Communities Agency.

The proposed mixed-use scheme comprises a cinema anchored family leisure scheme, which totals 150,000 sq ft, and include a multiplex at first floor, eight restaurant units, four indoor leisure units, an 80 bed hotel and public square, together with 555 car parking spaces.

Empire Cinemas will anchor the scheme with a 1,370 seat state-of-the-art 11 screen cinema including IMAX.

Hollywood Bowl have been secured for the large leisure unit on the lower ground floor which will comprise 20 bowling lanes, Hollywood Diner, bar and amusement centre.

Travelodge has also been secured for the 80 bed hotel.

The scheme is expected to generate around 500 jobs and contribute £15.1m of additional expenditure to the town.

After extensive public consultation a planning application was submitted on the 7th December 2018 and was heard at the Development Control Committee on the 5th January 2020. The committee voted to defer the decision, largely on grounds of lack of parking, a topic which was widely consulted upon across all parties. An appeal for non-determination was lodged on the 17th January and the Secretary of State allowed the appeal on the 9th October 2020.

Following a period of financial viability challenges, the Council resolved to enter into a new agreement for lease involving an annuity lease wrapper to assist the delivery of the scheme in July 2022. Further work is underway to ensure this important regeneration scheme is delivered.

For letting enquiries please contact Wareing & Partners (Nathan Wareing 020 7409 0022).