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Shop Closures and Changes in Basildon Town Centre
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Town Centre Locations
Town SquareEast Walk High PavementEastgate
East SquareSouth Walk Market PavementWestgate
Nether PriorsSouth Gunnels Market SquareSouthernhay
Great OaksNorth Gunnels Time SquareFodderwick

Town Square

Basildon Development Corporation's first phase of Town Square was completed during 1958 and one of the first shops to open was the mens and schoolwear outfitters John Walton. The shop, on two floors, was opened on Friday 6th December by the stage, television and film actor/comedian Arthur Askey. The initial development of the first phase comprised two separate blocks with north facing shops given even numbers 2-104 and also included a three storey multipurpose office block (Block J) above units 78-104 called Keay House and named after *Sir Lancelot Keay, the first Chairman of Basildon Development Corporation.

Construction work on the northern area of the square, officially known as Blocks K1, K2 and K3 and comprising odd numbers 19-33, began around 1959 with Fine Fare supermarket opening in October 1960. Block K3, numbered 29-33, was the last completed as part of the nearby Brooke House development. Grays Co-operative Society (Co-op) then moved into the last development of the first phase - Block J2 - around December 1961. This three storey building then became known as Co-operative House and numbered 106-114 Town Square.

No further development of Town Square took place until September 1970 when the corporation's next project named Block S commenced. The Block S development, known by name since 1963, was designed to fill in the remaining unused land on the north side and thus complete the town square look. Built at a cost of £1.5 million this development saw the completion of units 1-9 and the office complex Northgate House and High Pavement. Marks and Spencer were the first to open in the new units in November 1971. The entire square is pedestrianised.

During the late 1980s after many years of talk a scheme to roof over the square was announced complete with a model and exhibition. Despite local interest the scheme proved financially unviable and never materialised.

In 1996 a Town Square regeneration project to create an open plaza began and part of Keay House built over the square was demolished and the upper block was renamed Southgate House. Two large detached glass retail pavilions, named east and west, were also built around 1998 and in use soon after as a coffee shop (Costa Coffee) and hairdressers (Toni & Guy, 1999).

Notes:

1) Units 2 - 76 (even) were a joint development between Basildon Development Corporation and Ravensfelt properties.

2) *Keay, (Sir) Lancelot Herman, K.B.E. F.R.I.B.A (03/08/1883 - 02/11/1974),
Chairman, Basildon Development Corporation 1949-1954.

Text researched and written by William Cox, 2012.
Copyright © 2012, B. Cox - Basildon History Online. All rights reserved.

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Odd Numbers Town Square
Unit NumberShop Name BusinessOpen
approx
Closed
approx
2-4Halfords (relocated: Pipps Hill Heron Retail Park)
Walmsley's Furniture Superstore
Target - WOW - Womens Own World
Living Style Furniture Ltd.
Cycles & Car Accessories
Household Furniture
Ladies Fashionwear
Household Furniture
/06/1962
--
2010s
2014
c.1996
c./08/2011
c.2014
10/02/2015
6-8Ravenscourt
Halfords (relocated: Pipps Hill Heron Retail Park)
Walmsley's Furniture Superstore
Target - WOW - Womens Own World
Living Style Furniture Ltd.
Porcelain, Glass & China
Cycles & Car Accessories
Household Furniture
Ladies Fashionwear
Household Furniture
19/10/1961
/07/1966
--
2010s
2014
--
c.1996
c./08/2011
c.2014
10/02/2015
10-12H.T. Dwyer (Henry Thomas Dwyer) (2)
Newswell
X?????
Lloyds TSB
Lloyds (relocated: 9 Town Square 27/07/2023)
Newsagent
Newsagent
Card shop?
Bank
Bank
/06/1962
--
c.1996
1990s
23/09/2013
--
--
1990s
/09/2013
14/07/2023
14-16Trustee Savings Bank
Lloyds TSB + 10-20 Town Square
Lloyds (relocated: 9 Town Square 27/07/2023)
Bank
Bank
Bank
1964
1980s
23/09/2013
1980s
/09/2013
14/07/2023
18-20Lewis Separates (relocated: 70-72 Town Square)
Stratford Photographic Store
Flaums
Sheila Anthony
Lloyds TSB
Lloyds (relocated: 9 Town Square 27/07/2023)
Ladies Wear
Photography
Fashionwear
Fashionwear
Bank
Bank
Pre /06/1960
/03/1962
/10/1967
1980s
1980s
23/09/2013
1962
c.1967
1980s
--
/09/2013
14/07/2023
22-24Turners
Drapes
Card Warehouse
Paperbox
Shoe Shop
Soft Furnishings & Curtains
Cards & Posters
Cards & Posters
/10/1962
1983
2000s
2010s
--
--
c.2010s
/04/2013
26-28Mayes
James Woodhouse & Son
Ironmongery, Tools & Hardwear
Home Furnishing
/12/1958
/12/1965
c.1965
--
30-36Roses Fashion Centre
Medi-Care
Superdrug
Inside Out
Now - Fashion for Less
Female Fashionwear
Drugstore & Toiletries
Drugstore & Toiletries
Art accessories
Ladies fashionwear
/10/1962
1980s
--
c./03/2012
c.2016
c.1980s
--
2000s
15/01/2013
c.2017
38-40Barratts (relocated: 32 Eastgate Centre)
Going Places
Sony Centre
West End Shoes
Shoe Shop
Travel Agency
Electrical goods
Shoe Shop
1960s
1990s
2000s
2010s
1980s
2000s
2012
2012
42-44Rentaset (merged with Radio Rentals 1965)
Silver Carpets
McDonald's
T.V. Rentals
Carpets
Restaurant & Take-Away
/06/1960
/04/1966
1984
1965
--
01/07/2013
46-48Littlewoods
McDonald's
Foodstore, Clothing & Restaurant
Restaurant & Take-Away
03/03/1960
c.1990
c.1990
01/07/2013
50-52Littlewoods
Our Price
Everything's One Pound
Mart
Foodstore, Clothing & Restaurant
Records, Tapes & Cds
General goods pound shop
General goods (99p discount store)
03/03/1960
c./11/1990
c.2000s
c.2000s
c.1990
c./10/1995
--
c.2015
54-56Marilyn of London
Olivers
Baker's Oven (rebranded: Greggs (2008))
Fashion Centre for Ladies
Bakers & Restaurant (2 floors)
Bakers & Snack Bar
05/10/1963
07/08/1984
--
1970
--
2000s
58-60? Shoes
Dolcis (relocated: 26 Eastgate Centre)
Shoe Shop
Ladies Shoe Shop
Pre-1968
1968
--
--
62-64James Walker
The Carphone Warehouse
Fone Trendz
Goldsmiths & Silversmiths
Mobile phone centre
Mobile phone repairs and services
Pre /06/1960
2000s
2010s
--
c.2011
2017
66-68Salisburys
Phones 4U
Clothes, Handbags
Mobile phone centre
Pre /06/1960
2010s
c.1990s
c.2016
70-72Lewis Separates (rebranded: Chelsea Girl (1965))
Chelsea Girl (relocated: (Eastgate Centre)
Y Shoes
Clothing
Boutique
Shoes and Clothing
1962
1965
c.1986
1965
c.1986
1980s
74-76John Walton
John Kent
Bristol & West
Britannia Building Society
Menswear & 1st floor Schoolwear/Fashionwear
Menswear & 1st floor Schoolwear/Fashionwear
Building Society
Building Society
06/12/1958
c.1980s
--
2005
c.1980s
--
2005
--
78-80Davants Furnishing Centre
Hardy & Co
Harris Carpets
Next (relocated: 49 Eastgate Centre)
Priceless Shoes
Home Furnishings
Home Furnishers
Carpets
Fashionwear
Footwear
/05/1960
1964
--
1990s
2000s
1964
--
--
2001
26/01/2013
82Kelleys Radio (relocated: 14 Eastgate Centre)
Exchange Travel Agency
Hogg Robinson Travel
Hi-fi, Records & Tapes
Travel Agency
Travel Agency
/10/1960
1980s
1980s
1980
1980s
--
84Dorothy Perkins (relocated: 24 Eastgate Centre)
Jewellers Guild
Future Zone
Electronics Boutique
Game
Gamestation
Ladies Shoes
Jewellery
Video & Computer Games
Video & Computer Games
Video & Computer Games
Video & Computer Games
1960
--
c.1993
1995
2002
c.2008
1980s
--
1995
2002
c.2008
26/03/2012
86True Form (relocated: 92 Town Square)
Manfield
Our Price Video
Playhouse Video
All:Sports (+ 20 Eastgate Centre)
Shoe Shop
Shoe Shop
Videos
Videos
Sportswear
08/04/1960
--
c./11/1990
c.1994
--
--
--
c.1994
/08/1997
2005
88Keay House
(renamed Southgate House c.1996)
Multi purpose office block
Hatten, Asplin, Jewers & Glenny - Solicitors
Neale, Owles & Addiscott -Solicitors
Dentist
Halifax Building Society (c.1970-1970s)
Local Enterprise Agency Ltd (1980s)
Hunt Smee & Co. (Certified Accountants)
Basildon Council finance department
Clerk of the Council Office (Alma Hatt) to /11/1965
Town Manager's Office from /11/1965
Temporary Council Chamber to /03/1964
Basildon Council Technical Services Division (Planning
and Engineering)
Basildon Council community charge (poll tax) registration
15/03/1960c.1996
90ShaletsLadies Fashionwear, Drapers Pre /06/1960c.1980s
92Shalets
True Form
Miss Poly Shop
Ladies Fashionwear, Drapers
Shoe Shop
Ladies Fashionwear
1960
--
1970s
c.1970s
1970s
--
94Burton Tailoring (relocated: 25 Eastgate Centre)
Adams
Menswear
Childrenswear
03/06/1960
1990s
1980s
05/01/2009
96Bata
Shoe Save
Shoe Shop
Shoe Shop
/04/1960
1980s
--
--
98Wendy (Fine Fashions) Ltd.
John Collier
Clinton Cards
Ladieswear
Tailors
Cards and posters
1960
1970s
1990s
1960s
--
2012
100D. Russell (relocated: 7 Town Square)
Bishops
Jewellers
Jewellers
/02/1961
1970s
1970s
--
102Crombey
Milletts
Greenfields
Foothold
Men's & Boy's wear
Camping Store
Camping Store
Footwear
/05/1960
15/12/1961
c.1981
1990s
1961
c.1980
--
--
104North Thames Gas (relocated: 21 Town Square)Gas appliance showroom and bill-paying counter service. 06/12/1960--
106-114Grays Co-operative Society
London Co-operative Society (LCS)
CRS (Co-operative Retail Services)
Living (a brand within CRS)
Supermarket, Carpets, Clothing, Electrical, Furniture,
Restaurant & Co-op dividend saving stamps counter
/12/1961
/10/1967
1980s
1990s
/10/1967
1980s
1990s
c. /04/1999
1Marks & SpencerClothes, food and 1st floor restaurant 10/11/197121/04/2018
3-5Taylor's of Basildon
Army and Navy (a House of Fraser Store)
BHS (British Home Stores)
Department Store
Department Store
Department Store
c./08/1972
1979
1994
1979
1994
23/07/2016
7D. Russell
Mark One - (later rebranded Mk One c.2002)
Jewellers
Fashionwear
c./07/1972
1990s
--
2000s
9AChristmas ????? House (small unit created from main No.9)
Bella Rossi (small unit created from main No.9)
Christmas items
Italian ice-cream parlour & cafe
c.2004
2007
2000s
/09/2011
9Cater Brothers (rebranded Presto, 1979)
Presto
Primark (relocated: 106-114 Town Square)
Peacocks
Supermarket
Supermarket
Fashionwear
Fashionwear
/08/1972
1979
--
2000s
1979
--
/11/1999
/2/2012
19Fine Fare
Shoppers Paradise
Dixons
Currys.digital
Supermarket (Charter Cafeteria above 1960s)
Supermarket
T.V., Hi-Fi, Computers, Cameras
T.V., Hi-Fi, Computers, Cameras
25/10/1960
1970s
c.1984
2006
1970s
c.1984
2006
/09/2010
19
Upper floor
F. Pittock & Co.Solicitors Pre /06/1970c.1980s
21Timothy Whites (relocated: 27 Town Square)
Boots (relocated: 25 & 27 Town Square)
Blokker
British Gas (North Thames)
Millets
Books for Free (relocated: 40-42 East Walk)
Chemist & Houseware
Chemist, Cosmetics & Photography
Household goods
Gas appliance showroom/bill-paying counter service.
Outdoorwear & camping equipment
Free books
23/03/1961
c./07/1970
1982
--
--
2011
c./7/1970
1981
1980s
--
--
2012
21aMusic BoxVideos & CDs 1990s/04/2002
23F.W. Woolworth & Co Ltd. (Woolworths from 1978)
(Mobile shop at market site from 06/09/1958 to /02/1961)
Household, Electrical, Records, Cd, Dvd, Confectionary & Café (1960s)
Store since became 2 units 23 (filled 2009) & 23a (empty 2008-2010) now filled
02/02/196127/12/2008
25J. Sainsbury (relocated: Savacentre, Eastgate)
(From 1981 Boots merged the unit with 27)
Supermarket 08/11/196015/03/1980
27Boots (relocated: 21 Town Square)
Timothy Whites (½ unit from 1981)
Chemist, Cosmetics & Photography
Chemist & Houseware
27/02/1961
c./07/1970
c./7/1970
c.1983
29No change of business since first let (c.1961).
Shop nameboard from opening to c.1988 was W H Smith & Son
    
31Richard Shops (now let to W.H. Smith & unit merged with 29)Ladies Fashionwear 14/10/19611985
33Eastern Electricity Board (Seeboard)Electrical appliance showroom/bill-paying counter service. /09/1962--
?InternationalSupermarket ----
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Page added: 2002
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Text researched and written by William Cox, 2002 with revisions and additions 2002-2015.
Copyright © 2002-2015, B. Cox - Basildon History Online. All rights reserved.
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