Basildon.info – Basildon History
East Walk – Shops Then and Now
East Walk has been an important part of Basildon town centre since the first shops opened in 1958. Over the years, the street has seen many different businesses come and go. There were clothing shops, banks, cafés, furniture stores, shoe shops, electrical retailers, travel agents, charity shops and many more.
Some shops stayed for many years, while others were replaced by completely different types of businesses. The eastern end of East Walk changed the most when numbers 1–27 were demolished in 2019 as part of the town centre redevelopment. However, much of the older section from number 29 onwards remains today.
1–3 East Walk
Achille Serre: One of the early businesses at numbers 1 and 3 was Achille Serre, which specialised in cleaning and dyeing clothes. The Card Centre was also here and sold greetings cards.
Dollond & Aitchison: The premises later became Dollond & Aitchison opticians, providing eye tests, glasses and other optical services.
Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe: The shop later became Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe, selling traditional sweets and confectionery.
Grace Hair & Beauty: Grace Hair & Beauty also occupied the premises during their later years. The two small units were eventually joined together to make one larger shop. The buildings were demolished in 2019 as part of the redevelopment of this end of East Walk.
5 East Walk
Stone-Dri: Stone-Dri sold raincoats and waterproof clothing, providing practical clothing for wet weather.
Havecards: Havecards later occupied the shop and specialised in greetings cards.
Cheltenham & Gloucester: The shop later became a Cheltenham & Gloucester building society, where customers could deal with savings, mortgages and other financial services.
Cash Converters: In later years, the premises became Cash Converters, where people could buy and sell second-hand goods. The building was demolished in 2019 during the redevelopment of East Walk.
7 East Walk
Gaiety Fashions: Number 7 was originally home to Gaiety Fashions, a clothing shop.
Levy's of Stratford: The shop was later occupied by Levy's of Stratford.
Byrite: Byrite followed and was known for selling men's clothing and footwear.
Papertalk: Papertalk later occupied the premises, selling gifts, cards and household items.
Better Choice: In its later years, the unit was used by Better Choice. Like the other shops at this end of East Walk, the building was demolished in 2019.
9 East Walk
Nigel's Stores: Nigel's Stores was one of the early businesses at number 9.
Stylo: The shop later became Stylo, a well-known footwear retailer selling shoes for men, women and children.
Cancer Research UK: In its later years, the building was used by Cancer Research UK as a charity shop. It sold donated clothing, books, household items and other goods to raise money for cancer research. The building was demolished in 2019.
11 East Walk
Austin the Tailor: Number 11 began as Austin the Tailor, providing traditional tailoring services.
Percy Ingle: The shop later became Percy Ingle, a bakery where customers could buy bread, cakes and other baked goods.
Fragz R Us: In later years, Fragz R Us operated from the premises as a coffee and tea business. The building was demolished during the 2019 redevelopment.
13 East Walk
Lloyds Bank: Number 13 had a long connection with banking and was originally occupied by Lloyds Bank.
Lloyds TSB: The bank later became Lloyds TSB before eventually moving to another part of the town centre.
Betfred: After the bank left, the shop became a Betfred bookmakers. The building was demolished in 2019.
15 East Walk
Amber: Amber sold ladies' clothing and gowns.
Rumbelows: The premises later became Rumbelows, which sold televisions and other electrical goods.
Dowdall & Jordan: Dowdall & Jordan later operated as a furniture discount warehouse.
Gallery Gifts: Gallery Gifts followed, selling gifts and other items. The building was eventually demolished in 2019.
17–19 East Walk
Wrights: This was one of the larger shops in East Walk and was originally occupied by Wrights, a furniture business.
Neils Furnishers: It later became Neils Furnishers, where customers could buy furniture and carpets.
H.W. Stone: H.W. Stone later occupied the premises.
Discount Master: Discount Master followed, selling goods at reduced prices.
Simply 4 Home: Simply 4 Home was another later occupant of the building.
Art Clubbers: Towards the end of its life as a shop, the building was used by Art Clubbers, providing space for activities, workshops and exhibitions. The building was demolished in 2019.
21 East Walk
Freeman Hardy Willis: Freeman Hardy Willis was one of the early businesses at number 21. It was a jeweller, selling items such as watches and jewellery.
Salvation Army: The shop later became a Salvation Army charity shop, selling donated goods to raise money for charitable work. The building was demolished in 2019.
23 East Walk
Burney's: Number 23 was originally occupied by Burney's, which sold household linen and soft furnishings.
Maytime: It later became Maytime.
Sharps: Sharps followed and specialised in fitted bedrooms and storage.
PDSA: In its final years, the premises were used by the PDSA charity shop. The building was demolished in 2019.
25 East Walk
Barringtons: Barringtons originally operated as a tailor.
Dixons: The shop later became Dixons, a popular electrical retailer selling televisions, hi-fi equipment, computers and other electrical goods.
Soundzone Records: The premises later became Soundzone Records, where people could buy music.
A.W. Rust: A.W. Rust also occupied the premises and sold leather goods.
Chitter Chatter: Chitter Chatter later became a mobile phone shop.
Basildon Mind: In its later years, the building was occupied by Basildon Mind. The premises were demolished in 2019.
27 East Walk
Edmund R. Goodrich: Number 27 was originally occupied by Edmund R. Goodrich, a business selling domestic and household goods.
Later history: The business later moved to number 58 East Walk. The original number 27 building was demolished in 2019.
The Surviving Part of East Walk
Numbers 1–27 disappeared during the redevelopment, but the older buildings from number 29 onwards survived. These shops give us a glimpse of what the original town centre looked like when Basildon was still a new town.
29 East Walk
Keith Royle: Keith Royle originally operated from number 29 and sold carpets and lino for people's homes.
Westminster Bank: The premises later became Westminster Bank, providing banking services to local residents.
National Westminster Bank: Westminster Bank eventually became part of National Westminster Bank, better known as NatWest. The building remains part of the surviving East Walk frontage.
31 East Walk
Harry Fenton: Number 31 was originally occupied by Harry Fenton, a men's clothing shop. The shop formed part of the original East Walk shopping area and was one of the businesses serving Basildon's growing population during the early years of the new town.
33 East Walk
Harry Fenton: Harry Fenton originally operated here before the premises changed use.
Godfrey Photographics: Godfrey Photographics later provided photography services and had a studio at the premises.
Basildon Hearing Aid Centre: The building later became associated with the Basildon Hearing Aid Centre.
K Shoes: K Shoes then occupied the premises as a shoe retailer.
The Fabric Factory: Later still, The Fabric Factory sold wool, fabrics and other materials for sewing and crafts.
35 East Walk
M.D. Godfrey the Chemist: Number 35 was originally home to M.D. Godfrey the Chemist. The business also had photographic facilities, making it useful to local residents for both medicines and photography.
K Shoe Shop: The shop later became K Shoe Shop, followed by other footwear businesses.
The Fabric Factory: The Fabric Factory also occupied the premises, selling wool, fabrics and craft materials.
37 East Walk
Gowers & Son: Number 37 began with Gowers & Son, a bakery selling bread and other baked goods.
Barton's: The premises later became Barton's.
Tooks: Tooks followed before the building changed from retail to banking.
Alliance & Leicester: The premises became Alliance & Leicester, providing banking services to local customers.
Santander: Alliance & Leicester was later rebranded as Santander. Santander eventually closed the branch, ending a long history of banking at this location.
39 East Walk
John Manson: John Manson originally operated at number 39 as a butcher and poultry retailer, selling meat and poultry to local customers.
Weston Opticians: The shop later became Weston Opticians, providing eye tests, glasses and other optical services. The optician remained at the address until around 2015.
41 East Walk
Raymond Warr: Number 41 was originally home to Raymond Warr, which operated as a greengrocer, fruiterer and florist. Customers could buy fresh fruit and vegetables as well as flowers.
Seafare: The premises later became Seafare, a restaurant and fish bar, giving the shop a completely different use.
43–45 East Walk
Garons: These larger premises were originally occupied by Garons, which included a bakery and restaurant.
Moores Stores: The building later became Moores Stores, a supermarket serving local shoppers.
Superdrug: It was eventually taken over by Superdrug, which sold medicines, toiletries, cosmetics and other everyday products.
Later use: Superdrug later moved to another location in the town centre. The premises were subsequently used by a business selling curtains and bedding.
47 East Walk
Stewards: Number 47 is particularly important because it was one of the first shops to open in East Walk in 1958. Stewards sold electrical goods and toys and became part of the early history of Basildon's new town centre.
Mothercare: The premises later became Mothercare, selling clothing, furniture and products for babies and young children.
The Bike Shop: The shop was then used by The Bike Shop.
Abbey: The premises eventually became Abbey, later known as Abbey National, providing banking services.
Closure: The bank closed in 2010.
The South Side of East Walk
28–32 East Walk
Leaders Fashions: Numbers 28–32 were originally associated with Leaders Fashions.
Debenhams: The premises later became a Debenhams store, which opened in 1962. The shop sold clothing and a wide range of other goods and became an important retailer in the town centre.
Taylors Furnishing Stores: The premises later became Taylors Furnishing Stores, selling furniture and household goods.
Godfrey the Chemist and Photographics: Other businesses included Godfrey the Chemist and Photographics.
Basildon Hearing Aid Centre: The Basildon Hearing Aid Centre also occupied part of the premises.
Temporary Christmas shops: The units were also used by temporary Christmas shops during their later years.
34 East Walk
Manfield: Number 34 was originally home to Manfield, a shoe retailer.
Mayflower Wools: The premises later became Mayflower Wools, selling wool and other materials for knitting and crafts.
Smokies Grill: Today, the shop is home to Smokies Grill, a food business selling items including peri-peri chicken, burgers, wraps and kebabs.
36 East Walk
National Provincial Bank: Number 36 has traditionally been connected with banking and was originally occupied by National Provincial Bank.
National Westminster Bank: The bank later became National Westminster Bank, or NatWest.
Leeds Permanent: The premises were also associated with Leeds Permanent, which later became part of Halifax.
Today: The old banking use has gone, although the building remains part of the East Walk shops.
38 East Walk
Rediffusion: Rediffusion originally operated here, renting and selling televisions at a time when television ownership was becoming increasingly common.
Granada: The premises later became Granada.
Travelcare: The building later changed completely and became Travelcare, where customers could book holidays and travel arrangements.
Co-operative Travel: Travelcare was later followed by Co-operative Travel.
Café Cinco: Today, the premises are used by a café and food business. Recent records identify Café Cinco at number 38.
40–42 East Walk
Eastern Carpet Stores: These premises were originally occupied by Eastern Carpet Stores, which sold carpets and flooring.
Friars Coffee Lounge: The shop later became Friars Coffee Lounge, giving local people somewhere to meet for food and drinks.
Cancer Research UK: Today, Cancer Research UK occupies the premises as a charity shop. It sells donated clothing, books, household goods, music, electrical items and many other things, with the money raised helping to fund cancer research.
44 East Walk
Clarks: Number 44 was originally occupied by Clarks, the well-known shoe retailer. The shop sold footwear for adults and children and was part of the long-established shopping scene in East Walk.
Later move: Clarks eventually moved to the Eastgate Centre, leaving the original East Walk premises.
46 East Walk
Hepworths: Number 46 was originally home to Hepworths, a clothing retailer.
Next: In 1985, Hepworths was rebranded as Next, which went on to become one of Britain's best-known clothing and home retailers.
Later use: Next eventually moved to Town Square. The old premises were later used by florists, including Bernard Chapman and Jane Marie Florists.
48 East Walk
Bellmans Wools: Number 48 originally housed Bellmans Wools, selling wool and knitting materials.
Harry Fenton: It later became Harry Fenton, selling men's clothing.
Lunn Poly: The shop eventually became Lunn Poly, a travel agency where customers could book holidays.
Thomson: Lunn Poly was later rebranded as Thomson, continuing the building's connection with travel.
50–52 East Walk
Hadlands: Hadlands sold paints and wallpaper, helping local residents decorate their homes.
Sankeys: Sankeys also sold paints and wallpaper from the premises.
Bambers: The premises later became Bambers, a fashion shop.
The Price Slasher: The Price Slasher followed and sold furniture at discounted prices.
Rosebys: Later, Rosebys occupied the premises, selling curtains, bedding and other soft furnishings. Rosebys eventually moved into the Eastgate Centre.
54 East Walk
Willerby: Number 54 was originally associated with Willerby.
Top Footwear for Men: The premises later became Top Footwear for Men.
Rug World: The shop later became Rug World, which specialised in selling rugs for people's homes.
Later years: The shop eventually became empty and ceased to be an important part of the main shopping scene.
56 East Walk
Lillie & Skinner: Number 56 originally housed Lillie & Skinner, a shoe retailer.
Sweetie: The premises later became Sweetie, a newsagent selling sweets, tobacco and other everyday items.
H.F.C. Bank: The shop eventually became associated with H.F.C. Bank.
Household Bank: Household Bank later operated from the premises.
Beneficial Finance: Beneficial Finance also used the shop, providing loans and other financial services.
58–60 East Walk
Achille Serre: Numbers 58–60 have a long history of retail use. Achille Serre operated here, providing cleaning and dyeing services.
E.R. Goodrich: E.R. Goodrich later occupied the premises after moving from number 27.
Vernon Collard: The building later became home to Vernon Collard, an electrical and hi-fi retailer selling televisions, audio equipment and other electrical goods.
Sony Euronics: The business eventually became a Sony Euronics centre. Vernon Collard later expanded into number 60 as well.
62 East Walk
Derwent: Number 62 was originally occupied by Derwent.
Bennetts: The premises later became Bennetts, which provided television rentals and video hire at a time when many families rented televisions and hired videos rather than buying them.
Evapo: Today, the shop is occupied by Evapo, a specialist vape and e-cigarette retailer.
East Walk Today
East Walk has changed enormously since its first shops opened in 1958. The original precinct was filled with businesses that reflected everyday life in a new town: bakers, butchers, tailors, banks, shoe shops, furniture stores, electrical shops and cafés.
As the years passed, many independent businesses were replaced by larger national chains, while other premises changed into completely different types of shops.
The biggest change came in 2019, when numbers 1–27 were demolished as part of the redevelopment of Basildon town centre. Although much of the original East Walk has disappeared, the surviving buildings from number 29 onwards still provide an important link to Basildon's early years.
Walking along East Walk today, it can be easy to forget how different it looked in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. The names above show just how much the town centre has changed — and how many different businesses have served Basildon residents over more than six decades.