WORK is still yet to start on a new seafront cafe and shellfish stall in Leigh Old Town.

The East Anglian Pub Company hoped to open the new cafe this winter at the former Ivy Osborne Cockle Shed site, in the Peterboat pub’s car park.

The new cafe will be known as the Peterboat Skiff and will sell breakfasts and seafood favourites, but no updates about the progress have been released.

Town council chairman Caroline Parker had concerns about the plans from the outset. She said: “I’m not aware why work hasn’t yet started. It’s disappointing.

“I know we, as a council, were unhappy about the size of the building and it taking up a larger area of the car park. We also had concerns about the potential loss of openness and views.

“The current stall was a longterm part of Old Leigh and fitted in without encroaching too much.

“However the permission has been granted by Southend Council.

We wait for further updates.”

In June, company director Paul Barthaud said: “It is our intention to start work on the new development in October and we are hoping to keep any closure to as short a time as possible.”

The pub company also owns the Bellhouse, in Eastwood, the Exchange, in Southend, and the Hamlet Court and the Trading Room, both in Westcliff.