SHOEBURY’S East Beach could be boosted by three new cafés under a £2million overhaul of the shoreline.

The revamp would see two new cafés with eco-friendly roofs built at the site of the old Shoebury East Beach café which burnt down more than 20 years ago, if plans are given the green light.

However, if uptake is good, a third café would also be built.

It is hoped that by having three eateries at least one will always be open to the public.

Councillors the location will mean visitors can sit and soak up the sun, with tables and chairs outside and toilets nearby.

It forms part of a £2million investment package for the popular beach, with other ideas including new bin areas and picnic benches.

Councillor Steven Wakefield, said: “Myself and councillor Nick Ward have been working on this for a few years now, and we don’t want to see any delays.

“It will mean there’s a bit more variety for visitors, and if successful we’re hoping to see spades in the ground around April next year.”

It comes after a consultation was launched in January last year on the future of the old cafe site, where residents were asked whether they’d like to see a café/restaurant or a mix of facilities that could include a community hub selling refreshments.

Echo:

Ron Woodley, deputy leader, said: “The council has been keen for some time to work on a scheme to replace the former café at East Beach and it’s great news that they now feature in the council’s updated Southend 2050 roadmap.

“Our in-house architects are working on plans which, subject to planning, could potentially see two new cafes, equipped with green roofs and other aspects to ensure they are ecologically friendly.

“The proposals will need planning permission, with an application planned for December which will subsequently need to be discussed and agreed by the council’s development control committee before works could commence.”

John Budge, of the Shoebury Residents Association, added: “I think this is a great idea, the more things we do to encourage people to go there the better.

“With covered areas you could go there for evening meals - and you could have one as an ice cream parlour selling ice cream and milkshakes, another for coffee, and there is definitely demand for fish and chips.”

The Echo announced back in January that, under the scheme, improvements would be made to toilets and additional lighting, with the East Beach car park also resurfaced.

Councillor Ward, added: “The beach is of course an attraction itself, but we’re trying to make it so people will just go for the cafés/restaurants.

“Residents are fed up waiting for this, and so it will hopefully be something to look forward to.”