For Basildon to succeed it was crucial that the main
shopping centre be constructed at the heart of the New Town. For this reason the shopping
centre was developed at a point roughly between the two main towns of Laindon and Pitsea.
Development began in the 1950s with design emphasis firmly on pedestrianised shopping, and by
1958 the first shops were open to the public.
The same year saw Basildon market open, followed in the early 1960s with the main Town Square
itself taking shape.
Marks & Spencer, the A.B.C. Cinema and Northgate House, along with the Multi-Storey Car Park
were all added in the 1970s as Basildon continued to grow.
Over the years further development continued with the opening of the Eastgate International
Shopping Centre in two phases in the 1980s which involved diverting Southernhay and thus
created further pedestrianised shopping. More recently during 1998/1999 land at the western
end previously occupied by the Council's temporary offices, has been developed as the Westgate
Park Shopping Centre.
Text written 2001 with revisions 2002-2007.
Copyright © 2001-2007, B. Cox - Basildon History Online. All rights reserved. |