Key projects in vision to revive the fortunes of our High Street ; BRENTWOOD TOWN CENTRE: Map reveals ideas by renaissance group for short and longer term as it tries to improve shopping experience

WITH shops closing at an alarming rate, it is clear Brentwoodneeds a plan.

So, with the sound of bailiffs knocking up and down the HighStreet, which could be followed by the eerie silence of a ghosttown, a vision has been created.

Paul Ainsworth investigates the major projects identified byBrentwood Town Centre Renaissance Group FILLING the Old Post Office,creating a town square and cutting antisocial behaviour are all partof the long-term vision for Brentwood town centre.

A key projects map has been drawn up by the Brentwood Town CentreRenaissance Group as it looks to create a niche and vibrant shoppingcentre for people of all ages to visit.

Working with Royal Mail to find a new tenant for the Old PostOffice, filling the former site of the Charles Napier pub andcreating a town square around the Thomas a Becket Chapel ruins areamong the longer-term projects for the centre of Brentwood.Meanwhile, short-term plans will see a new Changing Places toiletfor disabled residents, the town clock reinstalled near its formerlocation and more markets up and down the High Street.

Iconic Other pro-active plans include installing banners at CrownStreet to create a gateway to its shops and positioning lighting inSouth Street to deter antisocial behaviour caused by gangs ofyouths.

Brentwood Borough Council leader Louise McKinlay, who is a memberof the renaissance group, said it was keen to see the iconic OldPost Office filled.

She said it had also received positive feedback from retailersabout the gateway project at Crown Street, one of many ideas ithopes will attract people to the town.

Councillor McKinlay said: "We are in very difficult times andpeople can get bogged down with the doom and gloom, but I think thisshows there is a vision and positive stuff can and is being done,not just by the council but with the help of retailers and therenaissance group.

"When we speak to residents about what is most important to them,it is the quality of shops and the shopping environment.

"We can help to deliver that."

Nick Abbott, the renaissance group chairman, said Brentwood hasfewer empty shops than the national average, a statistic it wantedto maintain by creating the right environment for people to investin.

He said the group wanted to help develop a town centre that wouldattract visitors and shoppers of all ages, especially families.

Experience Mr Abbott added: "We want to get the experience rightfor people visiting the High Street to encourage people to staylonger, maybe have something to eat and make it a town centre forthe whole family to enjoy."

The renaissance group is an organisation set up to establish andpromote the broader vision for the town centre and has alreadymanaged a Pounds 107,000-scheme to give numerous High Street storesa facelift to make Brentwood more attractive to shoppers.

The group - made up of borough and county councillors andrepresentatives from businesses, the FSB and the chamber of commerce- is also backing other, larger long-term projects, such as the townsquare vision for the chapel ruin, which has other key organisationson board, including English Heritage.

The joint vision would see the tower finally return to the ruinsand an open square created around the ancient site, which could beused for events and perfor mances.

The vicar of St Thomas of Canterbury Church, the Rev ColinHewitt, is among the other supporters but wanted to make it clearthe ancient ruins would be preserved.

He said: "All in all we need to smarten up the place and I'mstill very keen to do that.

"But it has to be in conjunction with what locals want andpreserving the dignity of the chapel."

Mike Le-Surf, another renaissance group member and boroughcouncillor, added: "I am looking forward to the enhancements comingto the High Street end of Crown Street, and the Changing Placestoilets will be a welcome addition for residents with additionalneeds."

Cinema development The construction of Brentwood's cinemadevelopment and shopping complex could get under way in September,the Gazette understands.

The start of the cinema, shopping and homes project in WilliamHunter Way has been held up by the need to let 60 per cent of theretail space before building work can begin.

It is understood that the developer, Stockland, is currently innegotiations with major chains and now aims to start work inSeptember this year.

2 Former Charles Napier PH site: Discuss the future of the vacantsite with Essex County Council.

3 Town Clock: Reinstalled near its original location by Easter.

4 Refurbished toilets: Set to undergo major revamp and willfeature a Changing Places toilet for disabled residents.

5 Michael Johnson sculpture: Plans in place to install thefourmetre-high creation in William Hunter Way.

6 Crown Street Gateway: Plans to install banners and possiblyclosure of the road at its junction with the High Street.

9 Chapel enhancements: Drawing up plans and seeking funding forthe major project in the future.

10 Future use of the Old Post Office: Liaising with Royal Mail toensure the iconic building does not stand empty for years to come.

7 Street market locations: Need to agree locations for markets inthe town centre.

Antisocial 8 behaviour lighting project: Putting together fundingbid and planning application for lighting in South Street.