It is a widely held view that Grays town centre is in need of some love and I therefore welcome Thurrock Council’s interest in restoring the State Cinema.

The rejuvenation of Grays needs some serious leadership, thought and imagination – it won’t be achieved simply by the introduction of a loyalty card and a few bits of street furniture.

The demise of the Development Corporation means the local authority can tear up the vision for Grays and start again.

I am staggered the State was not really part of the regeneration vision.

Instead, hope was put in a proposed community hospital that there was no money to build!

Sadly, any potential for a hospital in Grays was ended when the PCT built the white elephant that is Brentwood Community Hospital and ran up a large deficit.

This was an organisation living way beyond its means and making promises it couldn’t deliver.

Still we have a nice new post office and TA centre, even if it has cost the taxpayer a fortune.

It is really time for an Emperor’s new clothes moment and the development of a new vision for Grays town centre.

That said, the State is a project which needs serious thought. It will take a lot of money to bring the building into good condition and it is an investment which will have to prove value for money for the taxpayer.

Nonetheless, there is Heritage Lottery money available and a good business plan could surely be developed.

It is also the kind of transformational investment which really needs the support of the civic leadership in order to instil confidence in business investment.

It isn’t an easy task, but then nothing that is worthwhile ever is.

But there is a need to be brave without being reckless and pull together a new vision which is deliverable.