The buildings have the same spans and pitches as the residential areas. To provide a centre early on it was necessary to attract a major food retail store and in 1977 Essex County Council held a competition. Tenderers were to provide mixed use accommodation and the store. The winners, Asda, built a store, a square surrounded by shops, banks and workshop homes plus the first section of a pedestrian street joining a complex of schools, library, community hall and church. A feature is a building with shops on the ground and temporary classrooms on the upper floors which can be converted to flats and offices when the school population declines.
All buildings have shops on the street with flats and other uses above.
Design briefs required that buildings fitted with their neighbours. The streets are well enclosed, spaces vary in character and are well-used by pedestrians. Evening activity is generated by pubs, clubs, restaurants and sports facilities. There would have been more pedestrian movement had Asda not insisted on the major car park being next to their store. South Woodham Ferrers can be reached by half-hourly bus from Chelmsford.