Warrior Square Gardens in the finishing straight
Published Tuesday 22nd March 11 in Council - news and information releases news
A regeneration project to revitalise one of the most important green spaces in Southend town centre will be completed by the end of May.
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council secured £1.5m funding from the Health & Communities Agency to rejuvenate Warrior Square Gardens .
Work on the scheme, which includes new pavements, planting beds, landscaping features and the creation of a new state-of-the-art café, commenced in March last year.
The Council is now in negotiations with a potential operator for the café, which will feature a unique 'gull wing' style roof.
It is hoped the café will act as a beacon for the re-emergence of the gardens as an important town centre amenity for workers, visitors, shoppers and students.
Councillor Derek Jarvis, Executive Councillor for Culture, said: "I went to inspect the newly laid pavements and raised beds this week and I was very impressed.
"The café is starting to take shape now and it is marvellous news that we've already started talking to a potential operator.
"There have been some problems in sourcing the specialist stone and wood required for the project and some other issues but these have now been overcome.
"This is a high quality scheme and although there have been some delays the time spent overcoming these difficulties will have been worth it to deliver this fantastic open space.
"The project will be completed by the end of May when Warrior Square Gardens can return to its rightful place as one of the jewels in the crown of Southend town centre."