Part 5 of the complete Southernhay history, covering southernhay transformed: eastgate & the 1980s.
The most dramatic change in Southernhay's physical history came during the construction of Eastgate. A large section of the original road was closed in the late 1970s and Southernhay was realigned to run parallel with the railway. Traffic began using the new alignment on 25 February 1980.
The change allowed the first phase of Eastgate and the later second phase to be built. Part of the shopping centre ultimately occupied land over the former road. Nether Priors was shortened and its junction with Southernhay disappeared, while Long Riding was also shortened and connected to a new roundabout further east.
SavaCentre opened in March 1980 as part of Eastgate's first phase. Its development included extensive parking beside the realigned Southernhay. Eastgate's second phase was completed in 1985, using land that included former parking, open land and a small section of the old Southernhay alignment.
Toys “R” Us opened its Basildon superstore on 6 September 1985. Basildon was among the first five UK locations chosen as the American retailer established its British operation. The large detached store occupied land that had once been earmarked for a town-centre cinema and also used part of the area affected by the Southernhay and Long Riding changes.
During the 1990s the Toys “R” Us floor area was reduced and a separate unit was created for JJB Sports. Sports Direct later occupied that sports-retail unit. In 2026 Sports Direct relocated into Eastgate Shopping Centre.
The Basildon Toys “R” Us closed on 21 April 2018 as the UK chain collapsed into administration. The former retail building was subsequently the subject of planning permission granted in 2022 for conversion from retail use to urban self-storage, with alterations to the building.