A HIGH street coffee chain could soon open on Southend seafront after a prime unit was put back on the market.

A large round unit opposite Southend Pier, which has been empty for a decade, is being touted as a cafe or shop.

Commercial letting agent Dedman Gray, which is marketing the unit for Southend Council, hopes its busy seafront location could attract a big name.

The 2,000 sq ft unit, which includes open-air space for a stall on its roof, was built as part of the Pier Hill redevelopment in 2004, but never opened.

Mike Gray, director of Dedman Gray, said: “It’s unusual to find a new unit of this size so close to the seafront, the Royals Shopping Centre and the pier itself.

“In terms of a seafront unit, it’s right smack among the action.

“We can imagine this could be one of the first occasions on the seafront where we attract one of the high street chains, like Costa or Starbucks.

“That’s what we want to see come to the seafront.”

Its 15ft height gives space for a mezzanine floor and the council would welcome offers from experienced catering businesses, retailers or a mix of both.

Mr Gray said: “One of the strongest attractions for this particular unit is the two floors, which give a double frontage, and they will be able to feed off the visitors to the viewing tower.

“It’s the only unit that directly links to the observation tower, which has already proved popular among visitors to the town.

“People on top will be able to enjoy views of the whole estuary looking out over the pier.”

The Echo understands some at the council suggested using it as a community space.

But Dedman Gray, flushed from the success of letting the council’s Leas Sun Shelter in Western Esplanade to the Tommassi family to open as a restaurant, persuaded councillors to offer it commercially again.

The firm hopes it could be opened by the spring.

Deputy council leader Graham Longley said: “This particular unit has been a disgrace, really, and it is very disappointing it has been in the state it has been for so long.

“I hope there will be people who want it.

“My mind would be open to a national or a local company.”