A Victorian-style arcade with high quality shops will be created in the heart of Southend as part of the new £55million university development in the former Odeon cinema.

The mall is planned in the old Odeon cinema as part of Essex University and South East Essex College's plan to develop higher education in the town.

The second phase of the project began today with work to turn the site of the Odeon cinema, off the High Street, into a university building and business school.

Representatives from Southend Council, South East Essex College and Essex University witnessed the special occasion, bringing Southend a step closer to becoming a university town.

Published Friday January 16, 2004

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