THE £10.4million sale of one of Southend’s biggest shopping centres is a brilliant opportunity for Southend Council to invest for the future, business bosses say.

It comes after the announcement on Thursday evening that Victoria Shopping Centre, at the top of the High Street, is now up for grabs.

Although the reason for this is unknown, Martin Richardson, owner of the Happidrome Arcade on Marine Parade, believes the sale could be the perfect chance for Southend Council to have a real decisive stake in the high street itself.

He said: “The council has previously said that it can’t do anything with the High Street property because it is owned by private landlords.

“This is a real opportunity for them to to buy it and make it more viable. I think it would be a great investment for them.

“This is one of Southend’s biggest shopping centres, I still remember when Vic’s Shoes was there as a school kid.

“I think to entice more into there we need lots of smaller independent shops rather than larger brand names like there is at the moment.

“The key way to do this is to make the rent more affordable, giving those people who are now unemployed after Covid an incentive to start their own business.”

And the proposal has also been backed by fellow shoppers and councillors, should authorities be able to afford it after the blow of Covid-19.

Kursaal ward Councillor Matt Dent, said: “It has been a really difficult time, especially for retail. When the pandemic is over, there is a real chance for someone to develop the centre.

“Money is hard at the moment, but I think the council should at least look at whether it makes financial sense for them to buy it as a strategic investment in town.”

Chloe Lyus, 20, from Stanford-le-Hope, added: “I work in Southend and as someone who shops there it would be a shame if nobody took it over, there’s a lot of good shops inside.

“The fact there’s two shopping centres along that strip could have a part to play, but I think if nobody is willing to invest that the council should help if it’s something they can afford.”

Councillor Ron Woodley, deputy leader of Southend Council, said: “We are aware that the Victoria Shopping Centre has recently come to the market. However, we are not in a position to say whether or not the council may be interested in acquiring the property at this stage.”