A NEW post office and GP surgery with a host of new services are to form the centrepiece of Heybridge’s shopping centre.

Bentalls Shopping Centre has prepared plans to improve its site at Colchester Road after its Tesco Express unit closed last year.

The post office counter service will be replaced with a larger Post Office offering more services and a cash machine.

A number of retailers have applied to operate the post office and a decision is due to be made by mid-February.

The remainder of the premises is proposed to be converted into a new state-of-the-art health facility incorporating a GP surgery.

The Heybridge branch of the Longfield Medical Centre is currently based at the shopping centre.

Once complete, the existing surgery will be rebuilt to provide new retail and food outlets on the ground floor with office space on the first floor.

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

Nick Mann, from Bentalls Shopping Centre Ltd, said the GP surgery plans would mean the health facilities on offer in Heybridge can double in size to accommodate existing, as well as future, residents in the town.

He said: “This exciting makeover will ensure that Bentalls Shopping Centre can cater for Heybridge’s local shopping and community provision over the next decade.

“The designs will improve the centre’s appearance and the Pavilion building is proposed to be extended to provide more covered seating in the courtyard and with a roof terrace above for sunnier days.

“Our key aim is to provide an attractive shopping environment for the local community.”