The site, which Basildon Council purchased for £18.5 million in 2024 as part of its long-term strategy for the area, will provide other retail and leisure uses as part of the planned town centre regeneration. The 95-bed hotel will have a rooftop terrace and bar, and 97 supported living flats would create more capacity for the borough's older residents. Alex Myers, the council’s cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, said the partial demolition of the Westgate could begin as soon as October this year, adding the council is considering increasing the scale of the project. He said: “Once vacant possession has been secured, demolition will be a key first step towards delivering positive change. Mr Myers said: "The partial demolition of Westgate will enable us to move forward with plans to bring new activity and investment to the west end of Basildon town centre.