A NEW pub, restaurant and hotel is set open in Wickford creating dozens of new jobs.

Basildon Council has agreed to sell a plot of land on Gibraltar Walk to the pub chain Marston’s PLC.

Marston’s still has to apply to Basildon Council for planning permission but will be confident of success having just exchanged contracts with the same council for the land.

Councillor Tony Hedley, chairman of the council’s regeneration committee, said: “This is a welcome step forward in the regeneration of Wickford Town Centre.

“It will bring jobs and potentially a much needed hotel to the area.

“It will also provide a boost to the daytime and evening economy.”

Marston’s will now carry out further inspections of the site ahead of formally submitting its proposal.

A spokesman for the company said: “At this early stage we would not comment, but we are happy to liaise as it progresses.”

David Harrison, former mayor of Wickford, has been working hard to bring new facilities to the area.

He welcomed the news Marston’s has moved a step closer and believes the JD Wetherspoon chain may also open a pub in the area.

He said: “The pub/hotel will be very good for Wickford. It was something we were working on last year when I was a councillor.

“That together with the Wetherspoons pub, which is set to be built on the rest of the old market site, will be fantastic for Wickford.

“It is a bonus they are coming to Wickford. The hotel will be quite an upmarket one as well, although the footpath route will have to be maintained across the site - that is going to be important. Anything that brings jobs to the town is important. It will be quite a big turnover of staff required to run for what will probably be an 18-hour day.”

Basildon Council agreed to dispose of two sites in Wickford for “appropriate food, beverage and hotel accommodation to meet the council’s regeneration aims for Wickford” earlier this year. The Wetherspoons pub is not yet confirmed. Marston’s employs 13,000 people and has been running pubs for 180 years.