Laindon Shopping Centre Shops & Businesses

Part 2 of the history of Laindon Shopping Centre, looking at the many everyday shops, services, cafés and specialist businesses that traded there.

The Butchers

Unit 3 was originally occupied by Dewhurst, providing the centre with a traditional butcher. The business was later replaced by Wright Price, which sold toys, cards, DIY, gardening and electrical goods. The unit eventually became vacant and was never successfully re-let before demolition.

There was also another important butcher in unit 42. Stanwood Radio originally occupied the unit before being taken over by Rumbelows. Later, the premises became The Prime Meat Co., bringing another butcher back into the centre. The changing businesses demonstrate how individual units could have completely different purposes during the centre's lifetime.

The Chemists

Unit 4-5 was originally occupied by Godfrey, a chemist that also offered photography, records, tapes and video hire. It was later replaced by Hills then Vantage and eventually Lloyds Pharmacy. The pharmacy relocated temporarily to a unit at the rear of the centre in March 2019 shortly before the old centre finally closed.

There was also a second pharmacy in unit 38. This began as Co-op Chemist and later became Well Pharmacy. Like Lloyds Pharmacy, Well Pharmacy was relocated to temporary accommodation shortly before the centre was closed and demolished. These businesses were among the services that remained important to local residents even during the later years when much of the centre was struggling.

Fish and Chips

Unit 16 was associated with Peachey's, and known as The Swinging Plaice, and eventually Fish 'n' Chick'n. This became one of the centre's food outlets and reflects the long tradition of fish and chip shops in British shopping centres. The business remained associated with the unit for many years before eventually closing in February 2019.

The Pop Inn and Akash Tandoori

Unit 17 was originally home to The Pop Inn, a café that included a jukebox and pinball machine. It later became Akash Tandoori Restaurant, offering a fully licensed restaurant and takeaway service. This was another example of the way the centre's food offering changed over time, moving from a traditional café towards more modern restaurant and takeaway businesses.

Clothing and Children's Shops

Unit 18 originally contained Mini Wear, which sold children's and baby clothing as well as wool. It was later replaced by Centre Fashions, followed by Abbey National, which became a bank after its demutualisation. Later occupants included Claims Express and Big Reds, followed eventually by a vacant unit and the Love Laindon improvement headquarters.

Unit 21 also went through several changes. It began as Laindon Furniture Stores, later becoming Howard Furniture, followed by First Edition, George's and eventually other clothing-related businesses. George's became known for clothing, schoolwear and babywear. The premises later became associated with a unisex hairdressing business and other uses.

Newsagents and the Post Office

Newsagents were an important part of the centre from the beginning. Keith's, associated with Keith Cullis and A. Martin, occupied unit 41 and sold newspapers, tobacco and stationery. The business was later known as Martins before eventually closing in 2018.

Unit 19 was originally occupied by The Newsbox and later by S & R Newsagents. It eventually became vacant. Unit 20 was particularly important because it contained the Crown Post Office. The Post Office remained one of the longest-running businesses in the centre and was the final business to leave before the old shopping centre was closed. It ceased trading on 2 April 2019, bringing nearly fifty years of trading in the original centre to an end.

Furniture and Household Businesses

The centre also had several furniture and household businesses. Laindon Furniture Stores was one of the original occupants of unit 21, while Howard Furniture later used the premises. Other businesses included K & E Discount Carpets in unit 36, providing carpets for local homes. The centre therefore offered more than just everyday convenience shopping; residents could also buy larger household goods and services locally.

Toys, Cards and Specialist Shops

Unit 22 was originally occupied by Handyman, selling cards, stationery and novelties. It later became Le Form, associated with footwear repairs. Unit 36 also had a particularly varied history, beginning with Playbox 2000, a toy shop, followed by K & E Discount Carpets, Conquest Auto Parts, Startrite Motor Spares and later Heley Bargains. The unit eventually became associated with community and charitable organisations.

Car Parts and Motor Businesses

The presence of businesses such as Conquest Auto Parts and Startrite Motor Spares demonstrates that the centre also provided services for motorists. These businesses supplied car accessories and motor spares at a time when vehicle ownership was becoming increasingly common. Startrite eventually relocated to Durham Road in Laindon, continuing its association with the local community outside the shopping centre.