Turnstone are delighted that Southend BID has announced their full support for the planning application to transform the Seaway site into a new year-round family leisure facility. 

Southend BID represents 346 businesses in Southend town centre and works to improve the local trading environment and economy of the town centre. 

Its decision to throw its support behind Seaway Leisure follows a survey of its members that found – of the 53% of BID associated businesses who responded, over 60% support the proposals.

The Chairman of Southend BID has called the response of BID associated businesses “a clear mandate to back Turnstone’s proposal” and summarised the scheme as a “a major investment in Southend and one that could create hundreds of jobs.”

Plans for Seaway Leisure present an opportunity to revitalise the town centre and build a better Southend. The project will bring an additional £15 million to the local economy every year and create up to 550 jobs adding value for the whole community. The proposals will also deliver a 555-space multi-storey and surface car park. 

With high profile anchor tenants such as Empire Cinemas and Hollywood Bowl already signed up, the scheme includes a state-of-the-art 11-screen cinema with IMAX, an 80 room Travelodge Hotel, a 20 lane Hollywood Bowl, other leisure and restaurant offerings, and a new public square.

Tim Deacon, Director at Turnstone, said: “We are delighted that the voice of hundreds of Southend town centre businesses is supporting our proposals for Seaway Leisure. 

“Our £50 million investment to provide a new year-round family leisure facility for all the local community to enjoy will turbo charge Southend town centre, creating up to 550 new jobs and contributing to £15 million of extra expenditure every year.

“With Southend town centre businesses behind us, we’re looking forward to Southend-on-Sea Council’s decision on our planning application.”