Businesses and shoppers are backing plans to get rid of Laindon Shopping Centre, claiming it is an "eyesore" that is deserted most days.

Shop owners and users of the shopping centre say they are in favour of multi-million pound plans by Lakehill Investments to create a new centre.

Though the refurbishment would mean some shops would be closed for up to two years, traders say they are generally happy to pay that price in return for a better working environment.

Manager of Headquarters Unisex Hair Salon, Steve Kaye said: "I am in favour of the new centre because at the moment, it looks like a eyesore in the middle of Laindon.

"There will be temporary units in place and we have got one of them, which is good because as a business you have got to sustain a presence. I have been up here for 20 years and you cannot just walk away from a business."

Resident Harry Phillips of Great Oxcroft, Laindon, said: "We will miss the shops as we come here every week but the centre needs a change."

Joseph Bruce, 76 of Tattenham Road, Laindon agreed. He said: "Something definitely needs to be done around here but I don't know if the new place will be any better. We still might get vandals."

Bob Palfrey, of The Prime Meat Company, also said that the centre is deserted most of the time and he only gets a handful of customers in his shop everyday.

The centre's owners Lakehill Investments want to knock it down and build 21 new shops, a supermarket and 138 new flats on the site.

Published Tuesday August 3, 2004

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