New vision for Baytree Shopping Centre approved while Post Office should be safeguarded

A cross-party group of councillors approved plans to regenerate Brentwood’s Baytree Centre this week, while we have pledged to ensure Brentwood retains its Post Office.

A cross-party group of councillors unanimously approved plans to advance the regeneration of the Baytree Shopping Centre and move towards a viable redevelopment scheme for the site this week, following a meeting of the Lib Dem-led Council’s Asset & Strategy Committee.

Members, including Brentwood West councillors David Kendall and Brenner Munden, approved the next phase of Baytree's regeneration and agreed on steps to implement it. The proposals include a new cinema, leisure and gym venues, restaurants and cafés, flexible workspace, and improvements to public spaces around the historic Chapel of St Thomas à Becket ruins.

The proposals aim to transform the northern centre into a vibrant hub for food, drinks, and leisure, with improved shopfronts and stronger links between the High Street and Baytree. Some parts will be demolished for the new development, but the Chapel Ruins will be preserved as a central feature.

Like many town centres, Brentwood is adjusting to shifting shopping habits and increasing demand for experiences, leisure, and inviting spaces. These proposals examined how the Baytree Shopping Centre could develop to serve the town’s future, offering residents more reasons to visit, stay longer, and spend their time and money in Brentwood.

Councillor Brenner Munden, the vice chair of the Assets & Strategy Committee, said: “When speaking to residents across Brentwood, one issue comes up time and time again: the future of our High Street. It is understandable that many people feel the town centre has been overlooked for a number of years, which is why this represents such an important opportunity to bring new life back into the heart of Brentwood.”

He added: “While plans for the Baytree Centre regeneration are still in the early stages, the work undertaken so far has helped shape a vision that can deliver a sustainable, long-term asset for the town. Our ambition is to create a vibrant town centre that attracts visitors, supports local businesses and gives residents a place they can be proud of for generations to come."

Councillor David Kendall, chair of the Finance & Future Development Committee, agreed, saying “The time for talking about transforming the Baytree Centre and the Chapel ruins is over.

“Residents quite rightly want to see action and a viable plan to help take the town forward. I welcome the plans to bring a new cinema, well-known food outlets and new housing options to Brentwood as it will help transform our High Street. “

“Unfortunately, these plans will take time to deliver, but key decisions need to be made now to ensure that residents know the Council is fully committed to delivering the changes that are needed”.

Having approved the decision, the Council will now move to the next stage of the project, including appointing a lead developer to advance the design, submit a planning application, and complete the commercial work required to bring the plans forward, following the purchase of the centre in 2021.

At the same time, we are aware that, following a court-approved restructuring, TG Jones has announced plans to close 150 stores nationwide, potentially including the Brentwood branch, which hosts the Post Office.

Let us be absolutely clear. TG Jones is not leaving the Baytree Shopping Centre because of the redevelopment, and any assertion to the contrary is completely false.

We’ve seen the signs on social media. TG Jones may be telling shoppers one thing, but let’s be clear – they haven’t told us, the Council.

Our officers have confirmed we have not even received any formal notice that TG Jones is leaving, and the council have not asked them to leave.

Across the country, TG Jones has confirmed it is closing more than 150 stores and will be consulting with its employees, as it should. Our sympathies are with any affected residents as TG Jones employees. But they have not told the council, as their landlord in the Baytree Centre, of their plans.

Councillor Kendall said: “We know how vital and valued Post Offices are to our residents and that a High Street location which is near public transport is important.

“The Post Office are a sub-tenant of TG Jones; they are not a tenant of the council. But we are committed to keeping a Post Office in Brentwood High Street and will work with the Post Office to support them to make that happen."