A RESTAURANT has been dealt a blow after councillors vetoed retrospective plans to use a shop next door as a bar and waiting area.

The Estuary restaurant, in Leigh Broadway, has been using the adjoining linked premises as an area for its customers to wait for a table.

The business was threatened with enforcement action after Southend Council received a complaint in February last year that the wall had been taken down and the business had expanded.

The owners, who say the adjoining space is used as an internet cafe during the day, subsequently applied to change its use so it could be used for the restaurant between the hours of 6pm and midnight.

At a council development control committee, Jim Clinkscales (Lib Dem, Blenheim Park) disagreed with the proposals and said it would open the floodgates to other businesses facing enforcement action.

He said: “There are cafes that are flaunting the regulations and if we continue to allow this to happen we are going to have terrible problems in the future.

“I think we are on dangerous ground here. We have an officer’s recommendation to refuse permission. To go against that would be dire.”

John Lamb (Con, West Leigh) said he felt the permission should be granted and expressed concerns about the effect on business.

He added: “A lot of investment has gone into the establishment.

“I believe we should be encouraging some of these. We have to allow some to develop because we need this type of business in the 21st century.

“Let’s not refuse it and make it close down.”

Graham Longley (Lib Dem, Blenheim Park) supported Mr Lamb and said it was the wrong decision.

He added: “I think we have an unrealistic approach to this. It is perfect for where it is.

“I just think we are being draconian in not allowing this sort of activity to take place.

“It is essential in terms of cafe society and cafe culture. It improves the ambience in the area. If it was closed we would have an empty shop.

“It is a clean, well-run facility which should be available to everybody. I think it would be totally wrong to close it down.”

However, the application was refused with members voting ten against and two for.

THE owner of the Estuary restaurant says he will appeal against the council’s decision.

Darren Bailey told the Echo he will take it to the Secretary of State.

Mr Bailey said he had been working with the council to come to an agreement for over a year.

He added: “We have been trying for ages to sort something out. The hardest thing for us is it is quite upsetting for the staff. We have got over 50 staff and we have got to try to look after them. If the council got its own way there would be a lot of people unemployed.”

He added the internet cafe and restaurant had boosted trade in Leigh and had support from customers and Leigh councillors.

Mr Bailey said: “Leigh Town Council hasn’t got a problem with us, none of the public have a problem with us. Who is the council actually working for?

“It’s annoying because there doesn’t seem to be anybody against it.

“It is always hard to try to please everybody, but we have to say we disagree.”