MUSIC, entertainment, arts, culture and a new market will lead a creative “Mecca” in the heart of Southend in the fight against the pandemic.
The Southend Council Cabinet has endorsed an ambitious vision for “culturally driven renewal” of the city and created a haven for the arts around the high street.
The area of Forum II in Elmer Approach, which was scrapped last year – an extension of the forum library – could form the heart of the planned “art quarter”.
Anne Jones, councilor responsible for community and housing, said: “I’m very excited about this. I thought how great it was to turn Forum II into something that really fits the moment and that we can really deliver in a way that suits current society.
“I’ve missed the arts, missed the theater, missed the dance and in fact we can do some of it on a small scale and let it grow. Like throwing a pebble in the pond, it will spread across the city. We’d see events in Warrior Square and Chalkwell Park. ”
Lib Dem Councilor for Culture, Carole Mulroney, added, “We can start bringing this life back to the city by focusing on the city center. I think it’s a real opportunity to create the infrastructure we need to run a much better market as this is a little sporadic at the moment and that is often because of where the power is and where the access is.
“We have the East 15 drama school nearby. We’re ready to bring some of what they do downtown. We could see some of the groups playing in pubs that couldn’t. I think it’s a really great opportunity. ”
The council will consider creating opportunities for arts and crafts common spaces within the Victoria Center, which it recently purchased.
Martin Terry, city councilor in charge of public safety, however, said culture is not the only consideration if the high street is to survive.
He said, “The high street is probably the biggest challenge we have in the city. There are lots and lots of empty lots down there and we need to think about how we can redesign the high street. What do we do with it?
“I don’t pour cold water on it. I really like the culture thing, but we mustn’t be under the illusion that culture will lead us out of the current economic challenge. ”