blank.gifUnion Jack Flagblank.gifSt. George Cross flag blank.gifThe emblem for the county of Essex History Forum | Site Map   
Basildon History Online Share/Bookmark
blank.gif
    You are here: Laindon
   
blank.gif
Laindon
blank.gif
Laindon Shopping Centre: Shop Closures and Changes - 1969 - 2019

The first shops at the new shopping centre at Laindon began opening in late 1969. Many businesses that had previously traded in High Road were the first to open. These included Stanwood Radio, T.E. Collings, Peachey's, A.G. Butler & Son, Lloyds and Midland's Bank and Keith's newsagent.

The complex when completed also included a three-storey office block specifically for non-store retailing called Clock House and a Truman's run public house called The Joker.

In addition to the shop units a small permanent clothing stall - with canopy structure and located on the paved square adjacent to Clock House - was given permission to trade during the 1990s to the early 2000s.

Below is a fairly comprehensive list of the many traders to have set up within the centre since those earliest days through to 2019 when the centre was finally demolished (see note 3) to make way for a new development of shops and housing called Laindon Place.

Where it exists, photographic evidence of the shop nameboard has been used in the naming of many of the businesses. Other additional information where known is also included with each business.

blank.gif
Laindon Shopping Centre
NumberShop Name BusinessOpen
approx
Closed
approx
1-2Lloyds Bank (merged with Trustee Savings Bank 1995)
Lloyds TSB
TSB
Happy Hub - Motivated Minds one-stop wellness shop
Parents 4 Parents
Community Rainbow Genies
Building demolished 2019
Bank
Bank
Bank
Purple Genie Life Coaching
c./02/1970
1995
09/09/2013
c./05/2017
1995
08/09/2013
01/01/2017
2019
3Dewhurst
Wright Price
Vacant unit (never re-let)
Building demolished 2019
Butcher
Toys\Cards\D.I.Y.\Gardening\Electrical
--
1970s
--
c.2005
1980s
c.2005
2019
4-5Godfrey The Chemist
Hills
Vantage
Lloyds Pharmacy (relocated: 11/03/2019, temporary unit,
Danacre, rear car park, Laindon Centre)

Building demolished 2019
Dispensing pharmacist, Photography, Records, Tapes, Video Hire
Chemist
Chemist
Chemist
/03/1971
--
--
--
1990s
--
--
09/03/2019
6Peters
Joelios Hair Fashions
Vacant unit (never re-let)
Building demolished 2019
Hairdressers
Hairdressers
--
01/09/1970
c.1982
c.2006
c.1982
--
2012
7Barton's the Bakers
The Bakers Oven
Greggs
Building demolished 2019
Bakers
Bakers
Bakers
1970s
1980s
c.2000s
1980s
c.2000s
06/11/2018
8-9Harrington
Cordon Bleu (rebranded Lo-Cost)
Mega Save
Vacant unit (never re-let)
Building demolished 2019
Butchers & Poulterers
Frozen Food Centre
Freezer/Frozen Foods
--
1970s
1980s
--
c.2006
1980s
--
Pre-2006
2019
10Peachey's Fresh Fare
Vacant unit (never re-let)
Building demolished 2019
Greengrocer & Fruiterers
--
1970s
2000
c.1999
2019
11Opthalmic
M.J. Revell
Templeman Ophthalmic Optician (relocated: 11/03/2019 and open from 16/03/2019,
temporary unit, Danacre, rear car park, Laindon Centre)

Building demolished 2019
Opticians
Opticians
Opticians
c.1970
1970s
c.1980s
1970s
c.1980s
15/03/2019
12-13Walk 'n' Wear (Richard Parrish)
Howard's Discount Furniture Store
Southern Comfort Discount Furniture
Fairways - Your local discount food store
XS Stocks Limited
The Listening Post
Girls Empowerment Initiative (unit 13)
Building demolished 2019
Shoes & Clothing
Furniture
Furniture
Food and Fancy goods etc.
Fancy goods, gardening, toys etc.
/06/1971
/03/1973
c.1977
c.1990s
c.2008
/05/2017
19/10/2017
c.1973
c.1977
c.1990s
c.2008
c.2016
2018
2018
14-15National Westminster Bank
Vacant unit (never re-let)
Building demolished 2019
Bank
--
1970
2000s
1990s
2012
16The Swinging Plaice (Peachey's)
Fish 'n' Chick'n
Building demolished 2019
Fish & Chip Shop
Fish & Chip Shop
/02/1970
c.1990s
--
02/02/2019
17The Pop Inn
Akash Tandoori Restaurant
Building demolished 2019
Cafe including Juke Box & pinball machine
Fully licensed restaurant and take-away service
1970s
1990s
1990s
--/07/2018
18Mini Wear
Centre Fashions
Abbey National (bank from 12/07/1989)
Claims Express
Big Reds Adult Store
Vacant unit
Centre Office
Building demolished 2019
Childrenswear, babywear & wools
Fashionwear
Building Society. Bank following demutualisation
Insurance claims
Adult sex goods 18+ only entry
--
Love Laindon improvement headquarters
/02/1970
c.1975
c.1980
/03/2000
c./07/2003
2007
c.2012
c.1975
c.1980
1998
c.2003
c.2007
c.2012
2015
19The Newsbox
S & R Newsagents
Vacant unit (never re-let)
Building demolished 2019
Newsagent
Newsagent
--
/02/1970
--
c.2004
--
c.2004
2019
20Crown Post Office
Building demolished 2019
Post Office services /12/197002/04/2019
21Laindon Furniture Stores
Howard Furniture (relocated: 12/13 Laindon Centre)
First Edition
George's (George Hedges) (& at Billericay and Stanford-le-Hope)
Headquarters (relocated: 29 Ballards Walk, Lee Chapel North)
Building demolished 2019
Furniture
Furniture
Mens Clothing
Clothes, Schoolwear and Babywear
Unisex hairdressers
/02/1970
1970s
1970s
c.1982
2010s
1970s
/03/1973
c.1982
2000s
/12/2018
22Handyman
Le Form
Heywood's
World of Flowers
Vacant unit (never re-let)
Building demolished 2019
D.I.Y.
Worktops, Self assembled units
Hardware Store
Florist
--
1971
1970s
1980s
Pre-1994
2000s
1970s
--
--
2000s
2019
23Do It Yourself
Le Form
Fat Man's Cafe
The Garden Cafe
Vacant unit (never re-let)
Building demolished 2019
D.I.Y.
Worktops, Self assembled units
Cafe
Cafe
--
1970
1970s
c.2000
2000s
c.2006
1970s
--
2000s
c.2000s
2019
24C.E. Wignall
Wignalls
Bet Global Bookmakers
Building demolished 2019
Bookmaker
Bookmaker
Betting shop
1970
--
c. /06/2014
--
2000s
2018
25The Joker
Building demolished 2019
Public House 16/12/1970??/02/2017
26S.B. Youngs
Pints N Litres
Building demolished 2019
Off Licence
Off Licence
1970
c.1990s
--
2018
27A1 School of Motoring & Auto Accessories
M.J. Revell(relocated: 11 Laindon Centre)
Pets 'N' Food (Pets Feeds & Needs)
T & T Interiors
Vacant unit (never re-let)
Building demolished 2019
Driving School & motor factors
Optician
Pets, Fish & Accessories
Carpets
--
1970
1971
Pre 11/1978
c.2005
c.2011
1970s
--
2004
c.2011
2019
28Launderama
Laindon Cleaners
Launderette
Launder & Dry Cleaners
1970
c.1990s
--
2018
29Express Shoe Service (Richard Parrish) (also at 47 Ballards Walk, Lee Chapel North)
Laindon Pizza & Kebab (relocated: Unit G, Wrexham Road, Laindon)
Building demolished 2019
Shoe repairs and sales, Key cutters
Pizzas and Kebabs with free pizza delivery
/02/1970
c.2006
c.2006
2018
30Carolen Cards
Shoe Repair (24 hour service)
Vacant unit (never re-let)
Building demolished 2019
Cards, stationery & novelties
Footwear repairs (shared unit with Carolen, 2000s)
--
1970
c.2006
2012
2012
c.2012
2019
31A.G. Butler & Son
(business now known as Butler & English)
(relocated: 8-9 New Century Road, Laindon)
Building demolished 2019
Funeral Director 01/12/19692018
32Number associated with unit 31.
Building demolished 2019
-- 01/12/1969--
33-35Merit
Budgen
Cannon
Shoppers Paradise
Kwik Save
Vacant unit
Hamelin Trust
Building demolished 2019
Supermarket
Supermarket
Supermarket
Supermarket
Supermarket
--
Charity shop
/02/1970
c.1973
c.1978
1982
--
1998
c.2006
c.1973
c.1978
1982
--
/03/1998
c.2006
2018
36Playbox 2000 (and at 79 Southernhay, Basildon town centre)
K & E Discount Carpets (and at 1, Bells Hill Road, Vange)
Conquest Auto Parts
Startrite Motor Spares (relocated: Unit 8-9 Durham Road, Laindon)
Heley Bargains
Vacant unit
The Community Advice and Support Scheme (CASS)
Solidarity Care International
Building demolished 2019
Toyshop (Finlay & Co. Ltd.), and at lower level
Carpets
Car Accessories
Car Accessories
Food, Drink, Alcohol, Household and Toiletries
--
Support for the disabled and elderly
Use of lower floor as storage for equipment to
be sent abroad that was used as educational
or medicinal that had been discarded by schools and hospitals.
/02/1970
c.1977
1970s
1980s
/02/2013
c./02/2017
c./05/2017
c./05/2017
c.1977
1970s
1980s
2011
c./02/2017
c./05/2017
2019
2019
37Golden Gate Super Kitchen
South China Restaurant
Empty unit (never re-let)
Building demolished 2019
Take Away
Restaurant
--
Pre 08/1970
Pre 08/1970
c.2005
--
--
2012
38Co-op Chemist
Well Pharmacy (relocated: 11/03/2019, temporary unit,
Danacre, rear car park, Laindon Centre)

Building demolished 2019
Chemist & dispensing pharmacy
Chemist & dispensing pharmacy
1970
2015
2015
09/03/2019
39Co-op
Laindon Lanes Indoor Market
ShoeSave
Sue Ryder Shop - Charity shop
Building demolished 2019
Supermarket
Indoor Shopping Centre & Cafe
Footwear
Second-hand clothes, books and bric-a-brac
/02/1970
08/06/1985
1980s
/01/1989
c.1984
--
1989
10/11/2018
40Co-op
Laindon Lanes Indoor Market
Baby Bits
Vacant unit (never re-let)
Building demolished 2019
Supermarket
Indoor Shopping Centre & Cafe
Babywear & Nursery goods & prams
--
/02/1970
08/06/1985
c.2000s
c.2009
c.1984
--
c.2009
2019
41Keith's (Keith Cullis & A. Martin)
Martins
Building demolished 2019
Newsagent, Tobacconist & Stationer
Newsagent, Tobacconist & Stationer
03/10/1970
c.1976
c.1976
2018
42Stanwood Radio (taken over by Rumbelows)
Rumbelows
The Prime Meat Co.
Vacant unit (never re-let)
Building demolished 2019
T.V., Radio & Household Electrical
T.V. Video, Radio & Hi-Fi
Butchers
--
11/12/1969
1970s
2000s
2010s
1970s
--
c.2010s
2019
43-45Kibby's (rebranded International Stores)
International Stores (rebranded Gateway, 1988)
Gateway (rebranded Somerfield)
Somerfield (rebranded Co-operative, 2010)
Co-operative
Building demolished 2019
Supermarket
Supermarket
Supermarket
Supermarket
Supermarket
/12/1969
1972
1988
c.1994
/06/2010
--
1988
c.1994
/06/2010
01/09/2018
46T.E. Collings (Basildon) Ltd.
International Stores (rebranded Gateway, 1988)
Gateway (rebranded Somerfield)
Somerfield (rebranded Co-operative, 2010)
Co-operative
Building demolished 2019
Ironmonger, D.I.Y., Hardware
Supermarket
Supermarket
Supermarket
Supermarket
/02/1970
15/11/1984
1988
c.1994
/06/2010
1984
1988
c.1994
/06/2010
01/09/2018
47T.E. Collings (Basildon) Ltd.
International Stores (rebranded Gateway, 1988)
Gateway (rebranded Somerfield)
Somerfield (rebranded Co-operative, 2010)
Co-operative
Building demolished 2019
Ironmonger, D.I.Y., Hardware
Supermarket
Supermarket
Supermarket
Supermarket
/02/1970
15/11/1984
1988
c.1994
/06/2010
1984
1988
c.1994
/06/2010
01/09/2018
48Laindon County Library (relocated: New Century Road, Laindon)
The Afro Centre (relocated: Basildon Resource Centre, The Gore, Basildon)
Vacant unit
Building demolished August 2008
Library
Centre for African culture

Remained vacant to 2008 demolition.
c./02/1970
/01/2004

/01/2005
/03/2001
/01/2005

/08/2008
49Basildon Development Corporation
Commission for the New Towns


Basildon District Council
Building demolished August 2008
Housing Department/Rent Office
Housing Department
(Laindon & Lee Chapel District Housing Office)/Rent Office
Housing Department/Rent Office
1970s
01/04/1986


1990s
31/03/1986
31/03/1994


/08/2008
50Clock House
Farber Jan & Bartholomew (& at Nevendon Hall, Nevendon Road)
Basildon Insurance Services
Laindon Insurance Brokers
Howtal Whiting
Ameeco Ltd. (later Ameeco-Broby c.1975)
Manchester Unity of Oddfellows
Peter Steggles & Co. (Steggles Palmer)
A.W. Mudd & Co. (Anthony William Mudd) (2nd floor)
J. Always (Holdings) Ltd.
Hammertex Ltd.
New Town Co.
Provident Clothing and Supply Co.
Royal Liver Friendly Society
W.H. Davey & Co. Ltd.
Gale, Brown & Co.
E & S Design & Development Ltd.
Gesso Construction
Nationwide Surveys
Flametamers Ltd.
New Futures
Opal Computers Ltd.
North Thames Engineering
Friend, Boydon & Co.
Building demolished August 2008

Architects
Insurance
Insurance (Room 107)
Design & Engineering Co.
Telecommunication Engineers
Social Association (Stepney District)
Solicitors
Certified Accountants
Transport Contractors
Gentlemen's Tailors
Plant Hire
Credit goods
Insurance Friendly (Room 106)
Materials Handling Equip. (Rm. 200)
Certified Accountants
Automation Systems & Equipment
Ceilings & Dry Lining contractors
Surveyors & Valuers
Fire Protection Consultants
Disability & special needs
Computer services
Draughtsman & drawing services
Solicitors
 
1970
1970
/02/1970
1970
1970
1970
1970
1970
1970s
1970s
1970s
1970
1970
1970s
1970s
1970s
1970s
1970s
1976
--
1980s
1980s
1980s
 
 
--
--
1980s
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
1980s
2000s
2000s
 
51Midland Bank
Vacant unit
Building demolished August 2008
Bank
Remained vacant to 2008 demolition.
1970s
--
--
/08/2008
52Turnbull Gibson
Leisure Travel Agency
Discount Sports (Sports 4 Leisure)
Hamelin Trust (relocated: 33-35 Laindon Centre)
Vacant unit
Building demolished August 2008
Travel Agent - Theatre Tickets
Travel Bookings
Clothing & Uniforms
Charity shop
Remained vacant to 2008 demolition.
/02/1970
c.1974
c.1976
--
c.2006
c.1974
c.1976
--
c.2006
/08/2008
53Barclays Bank
Vacant unit
Building demolished August 2008
Bank
Remained vacant to 2008 demolition.
01/06/1970
08/04/2000
07/04/2000
/08/2008
54United Friendly Insurance Co.
(relocated: Branch office 361, 3 Argent Court, Sylvan Way, Southfields Business Park, Laindon)
Computer Games Club
Vacant unit
Building demolished August 2008
Insurance
Advance Software
Remained vacant to 2008 demolition.
1970s
c.1992
1990s
c.1992
1990s
/08/2008
blank.gif
Page added: 2001
Other points of interest:

1) The Laindon County Library at No. 48 was previously at No. 3 High Road in a parade of shops that stood near the Winston Social Club.

2) The demolition of Clock House and the former library building took place from July to August 2008. The clock had previously been removed on 24th April and put into storage. Centre owners Colonnade planned on demolishing the centre for new housing with around 40 new shop units to be built on the site of Clock House and the surrounding land. Unfortunately the project stalled and no further work was carried out and the sites of both Clock House and the former library remained boarded up through to 2019 when the remainder of the centre was demolished by Swan Housing.

3) In May 2015 Swan Housing Association acquired ownership of the run down centre with the intention of regenerating the entire site, including the health centre, in a new development of homes and shops to be called Laindon Place. Basildon Council approved their planning application in February 2017 and work began in October 2018. Demolition of the shopping centre, though not the health centre which will eventually be relocated to a new site on High Road opposite the new development, was completed by October 2019. The post office was the last business to leave following close of business on Tuesday 2nd April, 2019, bringing to an end almost 50 years of trading.

4) In May 2017 Swan Housing working in partnership with Centric Community Projects of Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire let out three vacant shop units to a selection of charitable organisations and a non-profit 'Community Interest Company' (CIC). The three units used were as follows: unit 1-2 - previously occupied by TSB; unit 12-13 - vacant from around 2013 and unit 36, previously occupied by Heley Bargains. This arrangement continued into 2018 before most of these charities relocated elsewhere, although one possibly remained into 2019 before the main shopping area - comprising units 1-13 and 33-47 was finally closed off to the public on 14th March 2019.

Text researched and written by William Cox, 2001 with revisions and additions 2002-2019.
Copyright © 2001-2019, B. Cox - Basildon History Online. All rights reserved.
blank.gif
Contact: E-Mail
blank.gif
Back a Page Laindon Top of Page Homepage Next Page
© Basildon History Online Website - WWW.BASILDON.COM