Have your say on the future of Grays

11:04am Tuesday 19th February 2013 in News By Emma Thomas

THE FUTURE of Grays town centre is up for debate.

People living, working and shopping in the town are being asked for their views as part of a council survey.

Face to face interviews with people will be held at Grays train station from February 22 to March 4 and people living in the five wards around Grays as well as the two in Chafford Hundred will be called from February 22 until March 8.

At the same time, an online survey will be quizzing people on their thoughts.

Andy Smith, councillor responsible for regeneration, said: “High Streets up and down the country are struggling at the moment, as the economic downturn continues and people shop online.

“Grays is no different though despite what people believe the town has fewer empty shops - about nine per cent compared to a national average of over 14 per cent.

“Since Lakeside opened, Grays has lost its traditional role as Thurrock’s main shopping centre but it does have a lot going for it.”

The online survey will be available from February 22 on the council's website www.thurrock.gov.uk.

Comments(14)

aerobic1 says...
1:06pm Tue 19 Feb 13

It needs a good tidy up, more businesses and shops which will attract more people, The State needs to be opened!! Riverside needs improving - which was going ahead until change of government!

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sukey68 says...
1:30pm Tue 19 Feb 13

I don't see how any business can survive when the rents are so high. numerous shops have closed in Socketts Heath and the rents are circa £1,500 pcm, but any office space is £600 pcm. I would love to open my own retail business but costs are too high.

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sukey68 says...
1:44pm Tue 19 Feb 13

my previous comment disappeared! ~I fail to see how any businesses can survive when rents are so high. The numerous retail units for rent in Socketts Heath are circa £1,500 pcm. it's a disgrace

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Mamma Mia says...
2:29pm Tue 19 Feb 13

The future of Grays? Nuke it and start again - it looks like a former Eastern Bloc town anyway!

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Jb66 says...
2:36pm Tue 19 Feb 13

Clean the High Street up, get rid of the groups of people hanging around, they intimdate shoppers, lower the rents to attract more diverse businesses. A few cafes where you can eat outside would be nice as it's been pedestrianised anyway. Smarten up the outsides of existing shops with a lick of paint. The high street could be turned into something really nice. Oh and introduce a post office!

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PoorFleet says...
4:55pm Tue 19 Feb 13

There's lots to do and I think it's going to take a while to heal the towns wounds.

Who remembers the French market? Unless I've missed it, I haven't seen the French in town for a long time.

I think Grays should attempt to open up it's night time economy.

Give it's citizens a reason to spend their money locally rather than in Bas Vegas, Southend or London.

We'll only know that things are getting better when the pawn shops and money lender shops start to disappear.

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Thurrock bus man says...
5:49pm Tue 19 Feb 13

I agree with PoorFleet - open up the night time economy in Grays. It could do with a good Wetherspoons pub and a couple of nice restaurants. I don't think a nightclub would be a good idea, however. There needs to be a better selection of shops including some big names. The main part of the Town Centre needs to be completely revamped/ rebuilt, perhaps the council should look at mirror town Erith in Kent. This was badly run down until Morrisons opened there and then the whole high street was changed with an undercover shopping area created using some of the old buildings which were completely transformed on the outside, its now doing ok.

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Tokka1 says...
8:21pm Tue 19 Feb 13

It will be interesting to see if anything is done to improve Grays. I cannot see it happening as it looks just like the East End now. I lived there for years but sold up to Eastern Europeans (who else) and moved away because it had gone down the pan.

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KeithRoberts says...
6:12pm Wed 20 Feb 13

Grays town centre is an eye-sore, get a fleet of bulldozers and flatten the place along with the State pigeon coop.

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Dave_ says...
7:04pm Wed 20 Feb 13

I agree with the ideas of the nightime economy, you need to have something that stops Grays turning into a ghetto after 5pm. As I have said many times The State could be an asset in terms of attracting; music, variety acts and "on the road" theatrical productions.
But in order for this to happen an be successful first you would need to get rid of the killjoys in Thurrock Council who issue licences to entertainment places, because they have killed attempts at injecting a bit of life into Grays in the past.
Currently acts go to Cliffs, which having been there a few times is a soul less dump, but it forms part of the local entertainment set up in the Southend area.

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aberline 88 says...
5:36pm Thu 21 Feb 13

just visited family in chadwell, there are a gang of mixed race burglars operating in the area, just advice so people make sure their houses are properly secure, the burglars are using ammonia on the victims to

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terry2010 says...
10:42am Fri 22 Feb 13

JB66-- Plenty of places to eat in Grays - just choose your nationality.

Thurrock bus man-- The idea of the Queengate buiding was to do exactly that, but it was never taken up to any large extent! -- WHY?.

Suekey68-- There are plenty of new places opening in Grays (Mainly Food), if you are serious about opening your own retail place you must first choose your market and be prepared to put in the time and money.

Dave_says-- Have you never been to the Thameside theatre?, (In the Library), it does a good trade, prices are very reasonable and you get a good variety of shows.

I agree Grays could be improved, so could most towns- If you believe you could do better, then go to the council meetings,hear what is going on and have your say-- I DO!!

Terry

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Dave_ says...
12:08pm Fri 22 Feb 13

Yes I have been to the Thameside for pantos. But it is for me just like Cliffs and modern film complexes ... characterless.
The Thameside does not have the capacity to attract decent national acts.

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Bernard 87 says...
1:25pm Fri 22 Feb 13

The Thameside is an ugly building as are most of the buildings in the town centre. Equally the new college will look just as awful in 20 years time.

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