Eastgate Shopping Centre (Basildon)

Eastgate Shopping Centre, better known as Eastgate, is a shopping centre located in Basildon, Essex. The shopping centre attracts over million visitors per year [ [http://www.shopping-centre.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/835/The_gem_in_Basildon.html The gem in Basildon - Shoppingcentre ] ] .

History

It opened to much acclaim in 1985 and was originally owned by Norwich Union [ [http://www.shopping-centre.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/835/The_gem_in_Basildon.html The gem in Basildon - Shoppingcentre ] ] , who own the former CGU office block attached to the shopping centre. It was opened by Prince Edward.

When it opened it was the largest shopping centre in Essex and one of the largest pedestrianised areas in the country. According to the District Council, at this time Basildon town centre "had the most advanced indoor shopping centre anywhere". [ [http://www.basildon.gov.uk/__80256B6C00357148.nsf/vWeb/wpAPSY57QEGU Basildon Council - Shopping in Basildon (History of...) ] ] It was a novelty as there were no other malls nearby and as a result it was very busy.

Many stores have come and gone since its inauguration in 1985, but the centre still has many popular High Street stores. It has also undergone a face lift, which was completed in late 1995 at the same time as the Virgin Megastore was opened by ex-Gladiator Wolf. As of 2007, another refurbishment is underway.

Eastgate was expanded with further shops being built in an area known as Westgate during the late 90s, which is home to Argos, Brantano Footwear and other leading stores. [ [http://www.basildon.gov.uk/__80256B6C00357148.nsf/vWeb/wpAPSY57QEGU Basildon Council - Shopping in Basildon (History of...) ] ]

In 2003 Eastgate FM, a radio station was launched on a Restricted Service License (RSL). The station broadcast during the run up to Christmas. [ [http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/rau/radio-stations/rsls/current_list.htm List of future RSL broadcasters ] ] The first version of Eastgate FM started in 1999, but faced problems with pirate radio stations nearer to London on its frequency. [ [http://archive.gazette-news.co.uk/1999/6/28/219125.html Basildon: Pirate radio DJ denies jam at Eastgate FM ] ] The 1999 version did however broadcast on the Internet using shoutcast technology. This Internet broadcast was provided by Basildon Networks - a company operated by local technician Mark Crosby.

The attached Savacentre, which predated Eastgate, was replaced with an Asda store in 2004. When Allders went into administration it was replaced with a Debenhams store in 2005.

Over the years Eastgate has had to compete with other local shopping malls including The Royals in Southend, High Chelmer and The Meadows in Chelmsford, but most notably Lakeside and Bluewater. Eastgate has come under a lot of criticism for its parking charges and it is thought that it is this that is driving customers away to the bigger malls.

Layout

The Centre has 4 levels. The ground and first floors are set out in a standard Shopping Mall set up. The second and third floors are branded as "The Galleries" and house smaller independent retailers.

The Mall area has many High Street Retailers including Next, River Island and New Look. At the West End of the centre is the Debenhams Department Store, purchased from Allders. The East End is occupied by an Asda Walmart Superstore, which replaced the Sainsbury's Savacentre in 2004.

The Centre has its own multi storey car park, and the Asda also has a large car park and a petrol station.

As of 2007, a £10 million investment is being made to bring the centre up to date with other shopping centres, with most work being carried out around the Food Court.

Features

Located on the ground floor of the mall next to the information desk on the floor is a plaque commemorating the opening with a time capsule. A copy of the Evening Echo of the day it opened is thought to be inside.

The Mother and Child statue was created by Maurice Lambert. It was commissioned in 1959 to symbolise the growth of Basildon as a New Town. [ [http://www.basildon.gov.uk/80256B6C00357148/vWeb/wpDBUS5S3DH6 Basildon Council - Places of Interest ] ]

Above the Bus Station is a 315 ft x 13 ft mosaic of 16,000 individual tiles created by the artist John Gordon in the 1960s. [ [http://www.basildon.gov.uk/80256B6C00357148/vWeb/wpDBUS5S3DH6 Basildon Council - Places of Interest ] ]

On the first floor of the shopping centre is the Cats Cradle Pussiwillow III Clock. It becomes animated every 15 minutes. It was created by Rowland Emett in 1981. [ [http://www.basildon.gov.uk/80256B6C00357148/vWeb/wpDBUS5S3DH6 Basildon Council - Places of Interest ] ] It was originally placed outside what was then Savacentre on the ground floor of the shopping centre. [ [http://www.eastgateshoppingcentre.com/website/MenuTitleOnly.aspx?ParentSectionId=8de39240-5b9d-44ad-8e09-1c9e12bc445c&CurrentSectionId=acf33a71-d1d0-41b5-8459-29e41c5b07dc&ContentInstanceID= Eastgate C/C (Cats Cradle) Pussiewillow III ] ] Shoppers are able to donate money to local charities by throwing money into the water surrounding the clock. [ [http://www.eastgateshoppingcentre.com/website/ContentInstance.aspx?ParentSectionId=acf33a71-d1d0-41b5-8459-29e41c5b07dc&CurrentSectionId=6021af6c-232b-4b96-81e8-ded26df17b82&ContentInstanceID=e7642710-5ab5-4c71-970b-383a89f6ef05 Eastgate Pussiewillow III photos ] ]

At the edge of the shopping centre stands St. Martin's Bell Tower, a glass tower, unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II on 12th March 1999. [ [http://www.basildon.gov.uk/80256B6C00357148/vWeb/wpDBUS5S3DH6 Basildon Council - Places of Interest ] ]

tores

Stores in the Eastgate Centre include:

*Accessorize
*Ann Summers
*Asda
*Bay Trading
*Birthdays
*Body Shop
*Bon Marche
*Burtons
*Claire's
*Clinton Cards
*Debenhams
*Dorothy Perkins
*Early Learning Centre
*Evans
*F. Hinds
*Footlocker
*GAME
*Going Places
*H & M
*HMV
*Julian Graves
*McDonalds
*Next
*New Look
*Orange
*Primark
*River Island
*Sports World
*Sports & Star Autographs
*Starbucks Coffee
*Superdrug
*Thomas Cook
*Thorntons
*Timpsons
*Top Shop
*Top Man
*Vodafone
*Waterstone's

References

External links

* [http://www.eastgateshoppingcentre.com/website/ Eastgate's website]
* [http://www.britishland.com/images/eastgate-entrance-flowers.jpgImage showing the entrance to the centre]
* [http://www.basildon.com/history/basildon/btcscac.html A history of shop closures]
* [http://www.reversevending.co.uk/Eastgate_shopping_centre_basildon_Essex.php Shopping Centre Recycling]