New beachfront cafes set to open on site of fire are hit with delays

Two new beachfront cafes set to be opened in Southend have been hit with a delay. The two buildings being constructed in East Beach are not yet ready to open, with delays to the utilities being installed.

The two cafes, set to have sweeping estuary views, were due to be completed sufficiently for new tenants to move in by the autumn but with scaffolding still up and builders still on site, that has been set back to November.

Southend Council has blamed delays in getting utilities installed to the striking-looking buildings. The tenants have yet to be announced and it is unclear if any deal has been secured.

Derek Jarvis, councillor responsible for arts, culture, heritage and leisure, said: “It is good to see them coming along.“Fortunately it’s the time of year when not too many people are out and about in very large numbers but I’d like to see them completed as soon as possible because they are an asset to the area.

“We’ve needed something like that for quite a long time its going to happen but it’s been delayed. I wish them well and hope they can get on with the project as quickly as possible.”

The cafes are being built on the site of a former café which burnt down more than 20 years ago. Planning permission was granted for a full-scale restaurant on the site but when work failed to start on the council-owned land, the council revoked the tenancy and set about making other plans.

It was originally planned to have three cafes on the site. The cafes will have little competition, the nearest being the Cart and Wagon Shed cafe and heritage centre on the garrison estate.

The cafes form part of a £2 million regeneration scheme and will feature sail-like canopies for outdoor dining, and could even be licensed to sell alcohol. A toilet block on the beach, which includes a large greensward, has been renovated, and improvements have been made to a large car park area.

The cafes are in a staggered row and are designed with pitched green roofs, similar to nearby beach huts. A council spokesperson said: “There were some delays getting power installed by UK Power.“Work continues to progress on the East Beach cafés, and we are looking forward to bringing new leisure operators to East Beach in due course subject to contract.”

References

1. ^{^} The Essex restaurant tucked by the side of the A120 now run by former head chef (www.essexlive.news)
2. ^{^} The face of woman who stabbed man with barbeque skewer after argument (www.essexlive.news)