Love Laindon
It is obvious from the memories that appear on this site that many of us remember with great affection Laindon’s High Road with its variety of shops. Many more of us remember when the new shopping centre opened, full of shops and life unfortunately any new visitor to the centre would now think they were in a third world country.
Well a small group have met to see if there is any mileage in taking things into their own hands and redecorating the centre. What this actual means we are not quite sure. Is it just a matter of a lick of paint or are there other initiatives that will draw people and new shops back to the centre.
Naturally we could not do anything without the approval of the owners and possible the Council. If we were given the nod then we will need plenty of volunteers with different skills. Do it yourself skills, negotiation skills, Health and Safety skills, Fund raising skills etc
The question is there still a Laindon Community that is willing to help smarten up the centre. A community spirit like the one in the days of the plotlanders who built their own homes, paths and opened their front rooms as shops.
You never know it might make the council sit up and take notice
Do we think it is a good idea, if so please add a comment?
We are now aware that the developers are fairly enthusiastic with regards to the idea and are willing to supply materials and a shop to work from.
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I note that it is six months since the last local election and as normal the promise that the plans for the redevelopment were almost ready for submission have come to nothing. When will voters realise that councillors as well as politicians will promise any thing if they think you will vote for them.
I think that thirteen years of empty promises says a lot about our local councillors and those who vote for them. It is now time to say that if they do not get work started on the redevelopment that they will not get our votes. The Laindon centre and other infrastructure improvements are becoming critical as the council gives approval to build more and more homes in Laindon.
I notice that the administrators have now decided to put the Laindon Centre site up for sale and believe that this could be of greater interest to a house building concern rather than retail trades. I further believe that the Basildon Council would secretly welcome such a move , as it would relieve them of the perceived conception that they should influence the revival of this run down shopping mall, as they are at present under pressure from Basildon traders for ” a massive regeneration of the Town Centre” (whatever that may mean), to halt its decline. A shopping development in Laindon would be in competition with and reduce trade in Basildon, whereas a housing development could possibly bring them extra custom
I think that with all the best intentions in the world that this project is beyond community volunteers. It’s like painting the forth bridge with a two inch paint brush . And like Ian said I to hope I’m proved wrong.
It is nice to see that members of the community are taking an interest in the Laindon Centre, and I note that the owner is willing to provide materials.
I would just like to point out that this is the same owner that has made it clear that they would prefer to replace the centre with flats and pose the following questions.
As you can see I am sceptical about the intent of the owners and Council in supporting this well intentioned venture and I hope I am proved wrong.
Further to the submission of Ian in respect of the Council’s intention in respect of the future of the Laindon, we should expect and demand the needs of the population are paramount, even though it is said “the road to hell is paved with good intentions”. However we must accept that the prime aim of the private developer is to obtain maximum financial return for their investors. Sentiment or social conscience comes a very poor second where unearned income is concerned.
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