ROADS should be closed and cafes and restaurants allowed to set up tables in the street to help Southend businesses bounce back, business leaders say.

The call comes after Colchester Council announced a temporary relaxation of planning rules to help the town’s economy recover.

The changes will make it easier for firms to create more physical space, therefore making social distancing easier.

This will mean tables and chairs could be set up outside bars and cafes located, mimicking traditional high streets in Europe and plans to pedestrianise areas of Soho in London.

It has been suggested that Old Leigh could thrive from a similar scheme, as well as parts of the town centre.

Denise Rossiter, chief executive of Essex Chambers of Commerce, urged Southend to follow in Colchester’s footsteps.

She said “This initiative by Colchester Council is something that I very much welcome and is certainly something that ought to be considered for Southend and other towns in south Essex.

“It is true that businesses are slowly getting back in to action but the measures they need to take to ensure the safety of customers mean that is not yet anything like back to normal for them.

“If planning regulations could be eased so that temporary structures can be put in place to have outside drinking and dining or queuing under cover then this should be considered, providing that we don’t see the loss of parking provision as a result as that is essential to help get people back into our town centres”

But a senior Southend councillor raised concerns it’s simply not that easy.

Kevin Robinson, Labour councillor for business, culture and tourism said the authorities hands are tied to some extent.

He said: “In Old Leigh and some parts of Southend Town Centre we know people like the idea of eating outside.

“The processes for planning and licensing are very complex and the Government could help by bringing in some changes. Closing roads is tricky as there aren’t many ways into our town and people need to be able to get into our towns.

“If we can do this safely I would support it, but we must make sure we are not doing anything illegal and that it’s done safely.”

A BUSINESS boss has called for Southend to follow Colchester and draft in new measures to help businesses in the hospitality and leisure industry come recover after the coronavirus outbreak.

Colchester Council is introducing a new planning process for temporary buildings, structures and changes of use in a bid to boost the town’s economy as it recovers from coronavirus.

The changes will make it easier for firms to create more physical space, therefore making social distancing easier.

This will mean tables and chairs could be set up outside bars and cafes located in the town centre, mimicking many traditional high streets in Europe.

Denise Rossiter, Chief Executive of Essex Chambers of Commerce, urged Southend to follow in Colchester’s footsteps.

She said “This initiative by Colchester Council is something that I very much welcome and is certainly something that ought to be considered for Southend and other towns in south Essex.

“It is true that businesses are slowly getting back in to action but the measures they need to take to ensure the safety of customers mean that is not yet anything like back to normal for them.

“If planning regulations could be eased so that temporary structures can be put in place to have outside drinking and dining or queuing under cover then this should be considered, providing that we don’t see the loss of parking provision as a result as that is essential to help get people back into our town centres”

Southend Council senior councillors say it’s simply not that easy.

Kevin Robinson, Labour councillor for business, culture and tourism said the authorities hands are tied to some extent.

He said: “In Old Leigh and some parts of Southend town centre we know people like the idea of eating outside.

“The processes for planning and licensing are very complex and the Government could help by bringing in some changes.

“Closing roads is tricky as there aren’t many ways into our town and people need to be able to get into our towns.

“If we can do this safely I would support it, but we must make sure we are not doing anything illegal and that it’s done safely.”