RESIDENTS will get the chance tomorrow (Tuesday, 14 June) to see plans for a reshaped town centre as the developers of a scheme to demolish its existing shopping centre and replace it with a new one – alongside tower blocks bringing up to 1,000 new homes.

The scheme has been put forward by NewRiver, the company that owns the shopping precinct, and it says it is important that local people get their say on the 're-imagining' of the town.

It is being backed by government regeneration cash with a grant of £1,808,865.

A statement says New River wants local opinion on for the future of the shopping centre, and wider Grays town centre, adding: "The engagement process, which began in 2020 but was put on hold during the pandemic, has involved a number of community events as well as detailed conversations with stakeholder groups as NewRiver seeks to understand the aspirations of the local community for their town centre.

"Feedback gained over the course of the past few months has helped to inform the initial proposals for re-imagining the future of Grays and these outline ideas will be shared with the community on 14 June, as well as online for those who cannot attend in person, to shape more detailed plans which will follow later this year."

Justin Thomas, Director of Development at NewRiver comments: "This is a key part of the process in re-imagining the future of Grays, and we have been engaging with members of the community to develop a vision that aligns with what we have heard from these important conversations.

"Our initial ideas are shaped around a more user-friendly town centre, retaining its strong identity and adding a welcoming environment with green public space, to create a vibrant and reinvigorated heart to the town centre that offers something for everyone in the community.

"We look forward to continuing our conversations with the community on 14 June, and thereafter as the plans are developed in more detail."

Though the compnay has stressed the importance of local input at its presentation at the centre, it will be just four hours long and in the middle of a working day.

Members of the project and design team will be at Grays Shopping Centre Break Bar (located in the central area by Holland & Barrett and Exit Shoes) on Tuesday, 14 June 2022, between 10:30am and 2:30pm. For those unable to attend, the boards will be available to view here.

The project team will be receiving written feedback up until 30 June 2022, which can be sent to Freepost RUEC-LGSX-ZCLK, 49 Greencoat Place, London, SW1P 1DS or via email on [email protected]