Ten-screen cinema planned for Basildon

Plans have been put forward for a £20M 10-screen cinema and restaurant complex in Basildon town centre.

Known as the East Square scheme, it forms part of Basildon District Council’s ambitious town centre regeneration plans.

An existing building will be demolished to make way for the planned cinema and six restaurant units.

Councillor Alan Ball, Basildon Council’s Chairman of the Regeneration and Environment Committee, said: “This development is a great opportunity to boost the local economy and provide new jobs for local people.

“We want East Square to be a destination of choice rather than convenience and are committed to creating a vibrant town centre with a viable night-time economy.”

It has also been reported that a major cinema chain is in discussions with the Council about the scheme.

A council spokesman said the authority was ’delighted’ by the news, which comes after an attempt to create a multiplex inside the nearby Eastgate shopping centre proved unsuccessful.