RESIDENTS in Grays and further afield are being invited to events to try and shape the future of part of its town centre.

A 'Community Planning Weekend' has been organised by the owners of Grays Shopping Centre, New River, who have commissioned community planners JTP to gather in local opinion.

NewRiver says: "Grays Shopping Centre is an important part of Grays town centre with its distinctive high street, varied retail offer and good transport connections.

"The shopping centre is right at the heart and it represents an exciting opportunity to increase vibrancy, vitality and offer an improved range of facilities and much needed new homes that will help create a viable long-term future for the town.

"NewRiver is committed to working closely with existing retailers and the local community to help shape the future of the shopping centre and its relationship with the wider town."

The event will take place over two days, Friday, 28 February (1.45pm to 5.30pm and

Saturday, 29 February (110am to 4pm) in the Former Cash Generator unit on Clarence Road.

JTP say it will be a chance to share local knowledge and contribute to creating a 'new vision' through facilitated workshops and hands-on planning groups. There will also be an exhibition explaining the background of the site and team members will be on hand to answer questions. There is no need to pre-register – and you can stay for a short while, a few hours or for the whole event if you are able to.

Following the public workshop days, the JTP-led team will analyse and summarise the outcomes and draw up an illustrative masterplan.

Following the consultation there will be a feedback event at the Thameside Theatre on Orsett Road in Grays on Tuesday, 3 March from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.