PLANS for a huge new £3 million Wetherspoon pub opposite Basildon’s new town centre cinema have officially been submitted. 

Basildon Council has received the plans to build the three-storey pub on the site of the former Poundworld in East Walk. 

The new pub - boasting a roof terrace overlooking the cinema development - will be a welcome boost to punters in the town after the Moon on the Square Wetherspoon officially closed in September. 

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Andrew Baggott, leader of Basildon Council, was delighted to hear the long-awaited plans have now been submitted.

He said: “Obviously it is really good news and good to see that Wetherspoons have stuck to their guns and are sticking with Basildon.

“I really wish them well.

“They were successful with the Moon on the Square despite the bad reputation it may have had.

“And it is still yet another addition to the overall picture and jigsaw with the East Square development.

“I wish them well and thank Wetherspoons for their investment in Basildon.”

The firm have applied to change the use from retail, the former Poundworld site, to public house/restaurant.

Plans include alterations to front and side, new proprietary external cladding system, and provision of external roof terrace areas.

In the application, bosses say: “The ground floor level will accommodate an open bar, dining and drinking areas, serviced by a kitchen with open gantry together with ancillary back of house facilities.

“The first floor level is accessed either by the proposed feature staircase or via the passenger lift and comprises an open bar, dining and drinking areas, complemented by external roof terrace areas.

“The second floor level comprises staff facilities and meeting rooms.”

Wetherspoon were unable to put a time frame on the plans if the application is accepted.

Eddie Gershon, a spokesman for JD Wetherspoon, added: “We are pleased to have submitted the planning application.

“We have enjoyed great success in the town in recent years and look forward, subject to permissions, to opening the new pub in due course.

“The investment of £3 million highlights the company’s commitment to the town.”