A CAFE owner wants to create a sandy paradise on Southend’s beach.

David Rayment, who runs Pebbles 2, in Marine Parade, has pitched plans to import several tonnes of sand on to the pebbles surrounding his cafe.

The entrepreneur believes the move would improve the seafront for children and encourage more tourists to venture out on to the beach.

He said: “It’s something we’re prepared to do to make it a more attractive place.

“A lot of money has been spent on the seafront, but not on the beach itself, so we want to bring it up to standard.

“It wouldn’t cost the council a penny, but we need its permission to do it.”

In 2002, thousands of tonnes of sand and shingle was brought to Southend to shore up ailing sea defences along Eastern Esplanade and Marine Parade.

Most of the natural sand found on beaches in the west of the town is frequently taken away on the tide, to be deposited around Shoebury or washed out to sea.

The project created a new beach – dubbed Jubilee Beach – but it has not been maintained by regular imports of sand over the last nine years.

If Mr Rayment’s plans are given the go-ahead by the council, a new sandy area, similar in size to the existing man-made Three Shells beach, off Western Esplanade, could be created.

Separate plans to install decking around the cafe were also submittted earlier this year.

He said: “Obviously we would benefit from it.

“But it wouldn’t be solely used by customers.

“It would be open for anybody who was walking past. I think it could be good, but we’ll have to wait to hear what the council says.”

Derek Jarvis, Southend councillor responsible for culture and tourism, said: “We are always interested in ideas which aim to enhance the beach and make it a more attractive place for visitors.

“However, there are many rules and regulations in planning which the council must follow.

“We will have to wait to see what happens with that before anything can go ahead.”