A NEW tapas restaurant is set to open in the heart of Leigh amid a gastro-led high street revolution.  

Southend Council has granted permission for The Gourmet Deli Co in Broadway to be converted into a Tapas restaurant.

The two-storey deli – rated 4.4 stars on Google – was known for its loaded salt beef bagels, pastries and gourmet baps.

No external works are proposed with the swap to be “facilitated by internal works only”.

The move comes amid a wave of new restaurants and refurbs in the area.

A stunning glass-fronted restaurant could be built on a prominent corner plot bridging Leigh Broadway and Leigh Road.

The new restaurant – which will create 40 new jobs – would sit almost directly opposite The Grand, which is currently being transformed into 18 apartments as well as a spa and a shop.

And more recently, popular cheese-based eatery Grate The House of Cheese relaunched with a new look and wide range of delightful dishes such as mac and cheese, cheese toasties and much more.

Co-owners Nick Jones and Gabriel Todino reopened the restaurant last month.