Anchors named for £50m leisure scheme

Independent cinema chain Empire Cinemas and hotel operator Travelodge are set to anchor a new £50m leisure scheme in Southend, Essex.The Seaway Car Park site in Southend will be redeveloped into a new leisure complex featuring an 11-screen Empire cinema, 80-bed Travelodge hotel, together with ten new restaurants and cafes, two indoor leisure units, a new public square and a multi-storey car park.The new Seaway Leisure development is expected to directly create about 450 new jobs, and provide a boost so Southend’s town centre economy.An application for the scheme will be submitted to Southend-on-Sea Borough Council this summer and, subject to approval, construction could start in 2018.Empire Cinemas chief executive Justin Ribbons added: “We are thrilled to be partnering Turnstone to bring this multiplex cinema to the heart of Southend-on-Sea and we look forward to entertaining local film fans for many years to come.”Travelodge Hotels is the UK’s largest independent hotel brand, with more than 500 hotels and 37,000 guest bedrooms.The new Seaway Leisure development is expected to directly create around 450 new jobs, and provide a boost to Southend’s town centre economy. The site is allocated for development in Southend’s draft Central Area Action plan, which sets out the council’s plans for a strong town centre and seafront.The proposals for the Seaway Leisure development will be submitted to Southend on Sea Borough Council this summer and construction could start in 2018.