A NEW Italian restaurant could be coming to Wickford to replace a popular bar.

Prezzo is set to take over Bar Plazma, which has been up for sale since November last year.

The Italian restaurant chain, already has a branch in Billericay and Rayleigh.

Fraiser Donaldson, 47, the owner of the bar, confirmed he had accepted an offer for the property, but would not confirm who the buyer was until contracts had been exchanged.

Michael Mowe, Conservative councillor for Wickford, said a new Prezzo would boost the town centre.

He said: “Bar Plazma will be a loss to the town, but a Prezzo’s would bring more people into the town.

“It’s all about creating an evening economy, that’s where Billericay wins. If there is nowhere for people to go after the shops shut people are forced to leave Wickford and the town centre becomes a ghost town at night.”

Ukip councillor David Harrison added: “Bar Plazma has been a great success in Wickford and has served the community well, but if Fraiser wishes to sell and move on, I welcome any business coming into the area.

“I understand that Prezzo is likely to be the new occupier of the property, and think we are fortunate that the property might be taken over very quickly rather then left empty.

“I welcome big names into the area and a Prezzo in Wickford would be quite significant and with the new housing developments there will be a demand for more restaurants.”

A spokesman for Prezzo said the restaurant chain is looking to open new stores across the UK, and said Wickford could be somewhere to consider for future premises.

Dedman Gray, the estate agents dealing with the sale of Bar Plazma, said that negotiations were ongoing.