A new chapter for Baytree

The Baytree Shopping Centre is going to change. Brentwood Borough Council, which owns the centre, has agreed plans to turn it into a place where people want to spend time, not just pass through: somewhere to see a film, eat out, meet friends and shop.

The centre is open as normal while plans are worked up. We’ll keep this page updated as the project moves forward.

What’s planned?

It’s a major transformation! The redevelopment focuses on the front (northern) part of the centre. Once it’s finished, you’ll be able to enjoy:

· A new cinema, in a boutique or premium style

· Places to eat and drink

· Leisure and gym space

· Flexible workspace

· Better shopfronts and easier links between the High Street and the Baytree Centre

· Nicer public space around the Chapel of St Thomas à Becket. The medieval chapel ruins will be protected and become more of a centrepiece

To make room for all this good stuff, part of the existing centre will be taken down and rebuilt.

Why is this happening?

The way people shop has changed in Brentwood and everywhere else. People are looking for experiences and places to linger, as well as shops. The aim is to give you more reasons to come into town, stay longer and support local businesses while you’re here.

Who’s behind the redevelopment?

Brentwood Borough Council bought the centre in 2021 and will keep ownership of it throughout the redevelopment. The council makes the big decisions and is funding the scheme.

Willmott Dixon Developments and Milligan have been appointed as the council’s development partners. They bring the specialist skills needed to design, build and fill the new spaces.

How is it being paid for?

The council is investing around £6.5 million in the redevelopment. This sits alongside the original money borrowed to buy the centre. Over time, the income from the new centre is expected to pay for both.

What happens next?

· Autumn 2026: the council and its partners finalise their agreement and start the detailed design work

· Next: a planning application; and conversations with businesses, community groups and local people to help shape the detailed plans

· 2027: work around the chapel ruins is expected to start before work on the wider scheme.

Dates will be shared here and directly with the Baytree’s businesses once they’re confirmed.

The council has committed to reporting back publicly at each stage.

What about the back of the centre?

The rear (southern) part of the site is being looked at separately. It could include new homes alongside community and business uses in future. This is at a very early stage. Nothing would happen without further consultation, checks on whether it’s affordable, and planning permission.

FAQs:

What’s been agreed?

Brentwood Borough Council’s Asset & Strategy Committee has endorsed the design principles for a leisure and food & drink-led redevelopment of the Baytree Shopping Centre, and agreed to enter into a development agreement with Willmott Dixon Developments and Milligan to deliver it.

Hasn’t this been talked about for years?

This is the furthest the project has progressed and it’s much more concrete than previous discussions. There’s a named delivery partner, council funding has been committed, and there’s a defined set of milestones that will be reported on publicly as the project moves forward.

What’s actually being built?

The current plan is for a smaller, stronger leisure quarter at the front of the site, anchored by a cinema (likely a boutique or premium type). There’ll be restaurants and bars, plus an improved space around the chapel ruins. The rear of the site will be prepared separately and there might be new homes there in future.

When will work start on site?

That’s to be confirmed. It all depends on a few factors yet to be agreed: the finalised development agreement, design and planning permission. We’ll also need to work with the businesses who are occupying units in the centre now and support them where we can. We expect to publish a full timetable this winter.

What happens to the shops and businesses at Baytree now?

This is a big project, so the site will need to be vacant for work to safely begin. The council and its partners will keep talking to existing occupiers as plans develop to explain what’s changing and when. We’ll explore options with them, including relocation, where we can. If your business is at the centre and you have questions, do contact the council to ask.

Who is paying for this?

The council has approved investment of up to £6.52 million towards the scheme, alongside funding from its development partners. The council remains the landowner and will only commit to construction once funding, planning permission and other conditions are confirmed.

Does this mean the centre is closing?

It will, but not yet. No closure date is set. We’ll keep you updated when there’s a firm timetable.

What will happen to the car park?

William Hunter Way Car Park will not be affected by the redevelopment and will remain a car park.

Will there be traffic issues during construction?

Information about how the works will be carried out and how they do or don’t affect the area around the centre will follow closer to the time. At the moment, the detailed plans are in development. The council will share updates and information with you as soon as it’s ready.