Weekender

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Basildon's £1b facelift

PLANS to give Basildon an astonishing £1bn facelift over the next 20 years have been unveiled by the council.

Draft designs include an 8-10 screen cinema, market, more than 1,500 homes, hotel and college.
If the designs by Barratt Wilson Bowden are approved by the council's cabinet later this month, they will then be put out for a six-week public consultation.
The council said the first phase of work could be completed by 2017.
The deputy leader of the Conservative council, Stephen Horgan, said: "This will be one of the biggest town centre redevelopments in the country and perhaps the last of its kind for some time. It would transform Basildon town centre into a vibrant, commercially successful and popular place to live, work and visit."
Funding for the redevelopment would come from private investors

News in brief from around the County

Refinery plans to file for insolvency

Mouth-watering £6000 for air ambulance

PEREGRINE falcons are the latest birds holding up progress in Southend after developers found them nesting on the roof of a building due to be demolished.
The developers had been hoping to knock down the 14-storey Portcullis House, in Victoria Avenue, Southend, which has been derelict since 2008 when the Inland Revenue moved out.
But the work could be delayed if it is found the birds are breeding.
Birdwatcher Richard Spencer tipped off the RSPB after spotting the birds soaring in the sky.
He is worried about the disruption that would be caused if the birds’ home is destroyed during their breeding season.
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Swiss oil refiner Petroplus, which employs up to 1,000 peole at its Coryton, Thurrock, plant has said it will file for insolvency after failing to reach an agreement with creditors to extend deadlines for loan repayments.
The refinery, which supplies 20% of fuel for south-east England, halted sales on Monday and told staff it was not sure when supplies would restart.
Although other firms have said they will still be able to supply fuel, petrol retailers fear new record prices for diesel.
The union Unite said action was needed. "Joint action by the owners and government can help secure the business," said national officer Linda McCulloch.

'Strictly Come Dancing' stars are coming to Basildon

STRICTLY fans will have the opportunity to see two of the stars of the show when they appear at the Towngate Theatre in April when Strictly Come Dancing's Pasha Kovalev and fellow ‘Katya Virshilas bring their live show to the Towngate Theatre in Basildon.
The pair and a host of special guests will present a range of dance routines and it gives the public the chance to enjoy a unique re-run of some of the moves that have dazzled Strictly viewers.
Katya Virshilas and Pasha Kovalev appear at the Towngate Theatre on Wednesday 4 April, Tickets are £19 or £15 concessions and are available from the box office on 01268 465465 or via www.towngatetheatre.co.uk.

Cold callers

Cold-callers using the number 02083 667956 have been targeting Sky telephone residents in Southend asking for information about the age of their TVs and where they were bought. If in doubt, hang up the phone and report the matter to Consumer Direct on 0845-404 0506.

How dance superstar Gillian is defying the years

Live alone subsidy probe

A review of Council Tax Discounts will be undertaken shortly by Castle Point Borough Council. The Council has engaged an independent company to check whether people receiving a 25 per cent discount on their bills because they live alone are really living alone.

MEET dance superstar Gillian Lynne, who is famous for choreographing iconic musicals Cats and the longest running show in Broadway history - the Phantom of the Opera. Gillian explains why she likes to keep busy, and shares her secrets on looking good even in her mid-eighties. Though she says has had no cosmetic surgery Gillian looks a good 15 years younger than her 85 years thanks to perfect posture, tastefully streaked blonde hair and a chic clothes sense. For the full interview click here

Tesco goes for beauty market

Supermarket giant Tesco has announced plans to start offering hairdressing and beauty treatments in some of its stores and that spells disaster for small businesses. Women’s haircuts which currently cost from £30 to £50 in most average salons, will cost just £12.50 at Tesco.