Turnstone Estates has submitted a detailed planning application for its £50 million Seaway family leisure scheme in Southend-on-Sea. The developer has pre-lets with Empire Cinemas, Travelodge, Hollywood Bowl and The Restaurant Group and hopes to receive a decision from the Council by Spring 2019, with work starting on site later next year.
The proposals include a state-of-the-art 11 screen Empire Cinemas complex, with Southend’s first IMAX screen, a Travelodge Hotel, Hollywood Bowl, other leisure and restaurant offerings, a new public square and public car parking. If approved, the 2.3 ha (5.7 acre) development, with 14,000 sq m (150,700 sq ft) of restaurant and leisure space, will create 500 jobs and inject an additional £15 million into the local economy every year.
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council has had a long-standing vision to redevelop the site to contribute to leisure, culture and tourism in central Southend, as set out in the Southend Central Area Action Plan 2018.
Tim Deacon, Director at Turnstone Estates comments, “We are absolutely delighted to have submitted our application for the Seaway Leisure scheme to the Council. Southend-on-Sea has always lacked a proper destination leisure scheme, despite a number of unfulfilled restaurant requirements. Seaway Leisure will provide a fantastic mix of leisure and restaurant uses which will help protect and enhance the reputation of the seafront as a go-to destination for residents and visitors alike. I look forward to helping support Southend’s 2050 Vision through this £50 million investment.”
Giovanni Dolci, Managing Director, Europe & Africa, IMAX Corporation comments, “We congratulate Turnstone Estates on its newest project and are delighted to once again partner with Empire Cinemas to deliver The IMAX Experience, which will transport guests into a film like no other cinema format can.”
