Kent Shrimper
Mike Reid
from Standard
TALKS over a parade of shops holding up plans for a new Blues stadium are making good progress, a trader said.
The future of the parade of eight shops, with seven flats above, on the corner of Victoria Avenue and Fairfax Drive, Southend, has been the sticking point for plans to build a new Sainsbury’s supermarket at the site.
Club bosses said the hold-up to the Roots Hall development is the only thing preventing the Blues starting work on a new 22,000-seater stadium at Fossetts Farm.
Kris Sale, 40, said he has been dealing with Southend United and Sainsbury’s jointly and they have made him an improved offer of £235,000.
Mr Sale, who runs Sale Appliances, said: “They are still negotiating with us, but they have increased their offers.
“I don’t mind moving, as long as they come up with realistic offers. Sainsbury’s is going to make a fortune out of this place. It’s one of the best plots in Southend.”
Mr Sale, who has run Sale Appliances for 16 years and lives in the flat above the shop with his family, said he was looking to move to new premises, in London Road, Westcliff.
He said one resident and one shop, formerly M Phones, came to terms with Sainsbury’s about six months ago and agreed to move.
Two offers made to the consortium of shop owners and residents were refused last year.
One included an offer of £1.5million for the eight shops and seven flats, and also money individually, but on the condition everyone accepted.
Ron Martin, Southend United chairman, said: “Kris Sale and I are talking positively. It is hoped terms can shortly be agreed to acquire the freehold of his two shops and the leasehold of his third shop.”
However, Mr Martin said no progress has been made with the Super Pizza and Pizza Man shops in the parade. In November, Southend Council agreed compulsory purchase orders could be used to force shops to move out, if no agreement was reached.
However, both pizza shops said they would challenge a compulsory purchase order, through a public inquiry.
TALKS over a parade of shops holding up plans for a new Blues stadium are making good progress, a trader said.
The future of the parade of eight shops, with seven flats above, on the corner of Victoria Avenue and Fairfax Drive, Southend, has been the sticking point for plans to build a new Sainsbury’s supermarket at the site.
Club bosses said the hold-up to the Roots Hall development is the only thing preventing the Blues starting work on a new 22,000-seater stadium at Fossetts Farm.
Kris Sale, 40, said he has been dealing with Southend United and Sainsbury’s jointly and they have made him an improved offer of £235,000.
Mr Sale, who runs Sale Appliances, said: “They are still negotiating with us, but they have increased their offers.
“I don’t mind moving, as long as they come up with realistic offers. Sainsbury’s is going to make a fortune out of this place. It’s one of the best plots in Southend.”
Mr Sale, who has run Sale Appliances for 16 years and lives in the flat above the shop with his family, said he was looking to move to new premises, in London Road, Westcliff.
He said one resident and one shop, formerly M Phones, came to terms with Sainsbury’s about six months ago and agreed to move.
Two offers made to the consortium of shop owners and residents were refused last year.
One included an offer of £1.5million for the eight shops and seven flats, and also money individually, but on the condition everyone accepted.
Ron Martin, Southend United chairman, said: “Kris Sale and I are talking positively. It is hoped terms can shortly be agreed to acquire the freehold of his two shops and the leasehold of his third shop.”
However, Mr Martin said no progress has been made with the Super Pizza and Pizza Man shops in the parade. In November, Southend Council agreed compulsory purchase orders could be used to force shops to move out, if no agreement was reached.
However, both pizza shops said they would challenge a compulsory purchase order, through a public inquiry.
