TAXPAYERS' money could be used to buy up properties in Billericay town centre to crack down on the number of pubs, bars and takeaways.
The deputy leader of Basildon Borough Council, Phil Turner, wants the authority to purchase units in High Street when they become available in a bid to preserve Billericay's cultural heritage and get a better balance between the daytime and night-time economy.
He says his plan would allow the council to provide facilities that residents want and put the money it receives from business rates back into the community.
Mr Turner, who represents Billericay West, believes some shops in the town look unsightly and says his idea will help to keep the High Street vibrant.
"This is something I am working on with planning officers," he told the Gazette.
"It would make for a much better environment – as well as attracting revenue, which will pay back the cost of buying the shop.
"As a result, it will work in favour of keeping tax reduced – plus we will also make much better use of the property."
He continued: "We've tried to keep Billericay vibrant and the buildings in-keeping with the street.
"Some shops are dilapidated like Clarks, with its pebble dashing front, but that's not the worst by any means.
"We looked into buying the site where WHSmith now stands – it went for nearly £1 million.
"Councils can borrow money at a better rate than the public to purchase these properties."
The council is working on a business plan for the project through Stuart Sullivan, its cabinet member for resources.
Mr Turner said he wants to find out what residents most want in the town centre so the council can try to provide that service.
For example, if residents wanted a butcher, then one could rent a unit from the authority at a reduced rate.
The plan, Mr Turner says, would also allow the council to regulate how many properties get "turned over to leisure" – a move which he says would "reduce noise pollution and anti-social behaviour".
"In Billericay, people are sensing that we have too much leisure – we hear what people are saying," he said.
"Maybe they would not have opened had we owned the premises, but at the moment we don't have any control – it's all with the landlord."
He added: "If residents knew the council had control they would feel a bit more comfortable.
"We would also make shops more in-keeping with the High Street's aesthetics for a much better look and feel.
"That way people will go there to shop from further afield – anything to keep our High Street has to be a good thing.
"We have to make sure the people coming into Billericay keep coming back."
Carl Newsum, the owner of Slipped Discs on High Street, said: "It sounds like a good idea if they control it as they have said – if they get a balance.
"It depends how fair they are with the rates – they are crippling at the moment.
"Freeholds don't come up that often and it took me 20 years to get another shop.
"Shops fetch good money when they do come."
Mr Newsum added: "We have just lost a greengrocers last week and have gone from a town that had four to none.
"People decide the High Street with their shopping patterns – if they don't use them they will lose them."
Trevor Draper, owner of the Billericay Cookshop, said: "I can understand the reasoning behind it provided that they are responsible as a landlord so rents are not seen as just purely a way of making money.
"They also need to look at the infrastructure generally and whether it can support their plans.
"For instance parking – we have a capacity issue and this should be seen to before or in conjunction with the council buying properties."
