An investor behind the £100million Marine Plaza development on Southend seafront has vowed he will press ahead with the scheme after concerns about its future.
On Thursday it was revealed Inner London Developments Ltd, the company previously named in connection with the luxury development on Marine Parade had gone into liquidation.
Seafront trader Martin Richardson revealed he had been authorised by a foreign shareholder of the site to send in diggers to clear it up ahead of putting the land to use as a possible car park, events site or market place.
However, Larry Fenttiman, director of Inner London Developments claims he had put the company into liquidation as it was no longer used, had no assets nor any debts and had nothing to do with Marine Plaza.
He said his companies Goldfield Developments Ltd and Crestbury Developments own the land, with an investor in Thailand being a minor shareholder.
Speaking on Friday, Mr Fenttiman vowed to press ahead with Marine Plaza scheme, which includes 282 apartments, restaurants, cafes and bars overlooking the Golden Mile.
Mr Fenttiman added: “I’m the owner of the site and we’ve got no intention of turning that site into a car park.
“It’s ready for construction and we’ll start construction when the economy recovers. The economy is in a bad way at the moment.”
Mr Fenttiman added: “I had a number of shareholders. The guy that is in Thailand wanted to put some money into our sites.
“He is a very small investor. He’s got some shares. The majority is owned by me. I control everything.”
Mr Fenttiman refuted claims the site was up for sale but didn’t rule it out in the future. He also confirmed he has asked Mr Richardson to leave the site.
But Mr Richadson, the owner of the Happidrome arcade, has vowed to carry on clearing the site having spoken with the Thailand-based investor on Friday.
He said: “All he asked me to do is get the site cleared out. I’m going to do as he asked.”
