TRADERS have called for the re-opening of Southend High Street to traffic to “save it from dying”.

Proposals for the reopening of the High Street were made to businesses and Southend Council representatives at a special meeting in the Sands Restaurant on the seafront yesterday. 

Architects Steven Kearney and Richard King gave a presentation calling for urgent short term action from Southend Council to ensure the High Street does not become a road of empty shops.

Mr Kearney and Mr King prepared the plans on behalf of Philip Miller, executive chairman of the Stockvale Group of Companies, which run Adventure Island and Sea Life Adventure on the seafront.

Among the key points from the presentation, it was emphasised that bringing back the road all the way through the High Street would help make people feel safer on the street and make it more connected.

Mr Miller has also called for the removal of the double yellow lines in the town centre, to allow more people to park on or near the High Street to encourage people to use the businesses.

The High Street has been the focal point of numerous issues within the past few years, with high levels of homelessness, reports of aggressive begging and antisocial behaviour.

Many attendees of the presentation agreed with the traders’ calls.

David Norman, a resident of Southend, said: “I very much welcome this presentation, the more input from organisations to the council the better.

“The world is changing very fast, the world of big retail has gone. I dread that if more of the major, big names will leave, we are going to get a fast track of voids in the high street where they once were, that cannot be good for the town.

“This will have given council staff ideas and work to take back and listen to. This is only ever a good thing.”

Emma Wynne-Morgan, owner of Oracle Magazine in Southend, said she had spoken to dozens of business owners losing trade due to parking charges and no spaces near the high street.

She said: “I went to visit a hairdresser on the High Street last week.

"He told me that the very same day he had four separate clients call up to say they wouldn’t be able to come to have their hair cut because the £4 parking charge was too expensive for them.

“This is a major, major issue. These people are losing, their trade is disappearing. These are their businesses, their pensions rely on it.

Leigh resident Carole Mulroney said: “There is nothing that drags people to walk down the high street. There’s no greenery, empty shops, and the shops that are there are not big enough for the High Street.

“It is far too long, and people are opting for shopping centres like the Victoria and Royals.”

Mr Miller said: “It is a simple, quick fix that can be implemented very quickly. The council simply must act now, and fast.

“If we can implement the re-opening of the road, this time next year there will be reports of ventures buzzing in the centre, not dying.”

Deputy Council Leader's response

James Courtenay, cabinet member for growth, attended yesterday's meeting.

He said: “We are always happy to listen to suggestions for improving the High Street, and I thank the group today for their ideas. We look forward to working with them, and others in the business community to deliver the long term regeneration for the High Street and throughout the borough.

“We understand that Southend High Street, along with all high streets across the country, is facing a difficult period. A cross-party group of councillors is currently undertaking a project on the medium and long term regeneration of the High Street and I hope that the ideas today can be fed into that project.

"Going forward, I am hopeful that we can continue these discussions in a proactive way, with various residents, businesses and the council working cohesively to ensure Southend is somewhere that everyone can be proud of.

“At this early stage, we cannot commit to any of the proposals raised, but we will continue to listen to the local business community to deliver the best outcomes for the borough.”