Thurrock: £100m Leisure Plans For Lakeside

12 September 2013, 00:00

Plans have been submitted for a £100 million leisure development at Intu Lakeside in Thurrock.

The proposals would see the creation of a waterfront area, town square and family areas. 

Those spaces could host events like farmers' and Chirstmas markets as well as screenings of live sporting events throughout the year. 

It is also hoped it will be able to attract potential tennants like a health and fitness centre, nightclub, hotel and restaurants. 

The company says the work would build on existing plans for a £180 million expansion of the site, which it hopes will bring 30-40 new stores and "substantial investment in local community infrastructure". 

In total, it is hoped the two major developments will create 1,400 permenant roles, and a further 660 during the construction phase. 

Construction is expected to start during 2015, with the leisure development scheduled to open in 2017. 

Jonathan Ainsley, asset management director for intu, said: "After such overwhelming public support for our plans, we're delighted to have now submitted the planning application to invest £100million in the centre's leisure facilities. 

"We're passionate about providing people with the perfect shopping experience, and the new leisure development will attract more people, from a wider area, and provide a great reason for them to stay with us for even longer."