Leader's blog - 22 May 2025

This week, I had the opportunity to attend the UK's largest investment and regeneration conference, UKREiiF, alongside our Chief Executive, Deputy Leader, and Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Jobs and Skills. It was a powerful moment for Basildon to showcase our ambition, reconnect with major investors, and demonstrate that we are open for business.

UKREiiF brought together councils, developers, investors, and national government departments from across the UK, and Basildon held its own on the national stage. Our message was simple but strong: we are building a borough that delivers for residents, creates jobs, and welcomes investment.

Here are the key takeaways from the week:

• Basildon is becoming a creative powerhouse - I can now exclusively reveal that a brand new creative industry sector is moving into the borough, which will create more than 2,000 new jobs. This is part of our promise to build not only houses and town centres, but brand new places for people to work. It will be located in Dunton, close to Fords and this isn't just an economic win—it puts Basildon on the map in the global creative industries.
   

• Retail confidence is returning - This week I met with Marks and Spencer and opened early conversations about bringing a new M&S Food Hall to Basildon town centre as part of the regeneration. But it doesn't stop there. Other major high street retailers are now looking again at Basildon. Why? Because the scale of regeneration underway is one of the largest in the South of England. With hundreds of millions of pounds of private sector investment coming into the town, we're creating the kind of momentum that's hard to ignore—and it's turning heads across the retail sector. The train has left the station when it comes to Basildon - our regeneration is now happening and major players want to be onboard.

• The South Essex Arena is ready to go - We've made the case and secured the interest. The South Essex Arena project is now investment-ready, with the potential to unlock not just cultural value but serious footfall and economic growth for our town centre. Live music, sport, comedy, entertainment and e-gaming is coming to Basildon town centre on a size and scale that is unmatched in Essex.

• Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is a game changer - Our discussions showed that LGR isn't just about governance—it's opening doors to significant funding and investment opportunities in housing, regeneration, and skills development. The private sector is taking note. This simply wasn't the case 12 months ago. Things are happening and economic growth is coming to Basildon.

• We are on investors radar - Perhaps the most exciting takeaway: serious investors with serious capital believe in Basildon. They see a borough with clear political leadership, a strong vision, and investable projects. That belief didn't exist a year ago—but it does now.

• A new partner secured for the Basildon Construction Academy - As we build new homes across the borough and regenerate four out of five town centres, we're also investing in the skills to match. This week we secured an additional partner to help deliver the Basildon Construction Academy - strengthening our commitment to local jobs and local talent. What began with bricklaying is now expanding to include carpentry, plastering, and more. It's a crucial step in making sure Basildon people are the ones who benefit from Basildon's growth.

The work continues, but what's clear is this: Basildon is no longer on the sidelines. We're right at the centre of conversations about growth, jobs, and regeneration.

My job is to take these opportunities and put the ball in the back of the net for Basildon. Attending events like this, allows me the chance to take our council to the national stage and come back with real wins for Basildon.

Basildon is getting better. The doomsters can't stand it, but it's true.

 

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Published 22 May 2025