The former Rio Bar will officially become a fancy restaurant after planning was approved by Southend Council.

Local councillors and businesses have voiced their approval for the proposed fine dining establishment.

The Rio Bar, which used to be a drinking venue on The Broadway, caused problems for residents because of the drunken louts it attracted.

But local councillors and business owners hope this will not be the case for this new establishment, which is being run by managing director of the Roslin Beach Hotel, Jacqui Dallimore.

Liberal Democrat Leigh Ward councillor, Peter Wexham, said: “Hopefully this won’t be a problem if the place is run by the same people who run the Roslin Hotel.

“If it is run by them, then it should be run properly.

“Some bars on the Broadway have drinkers coming outside, shouting loudly, leaving the doors open and annoying the residents.

“But, I have my fingers crossed that this place will be better.”

Also hoping the proposed restaurant will improve the Broadway is Jack Morris who runs the Corner Club on the same street.

The 25-year-old business owner said: “It’s one of those that is a Catch 22.

“It’s going to bring people to Leigh but what kind of people will it bring?

“It will do well in Leigh if they do something that works well that hasn’t been done yet.

“If they do this then I wish them the best of luck.

“I know how hard it is to open up a business and I hope it goes well for them.

“The Rio Bar was a bit tedious, with all the loud drinker and the broken glass on the floor.”

The application was approved in a development meeting back in November.

The plan is to have a restaurant on the ground floor and to provide an external seating area fronting Broadway.

The proposed opening hours are 10am – 1am Monday to Sundays, including Bank Holidays.

The application did not receive any objections from Highways England or Leigh Town Council.

Rio Bar and Restaurant closed suddenly in October 2016.