A NEW Burger King could open in a former electrical shop in Basildon town centre, with fresh plans submitted to the council.

The burger chain is bidding to convert the former Maplin shop at the Westgate Shopping Park, off Fodderick, into a new restaurant.

Two Burger King restaurants are already open in Basildon, but plans have been submitted for the installation of kitchen extraction and ventilation equipment, timber rubbish enclosure and minor changes to the outside of the building.

Craig Rimmer, councillor for regeneration, said: “I think it’s a welcome addition to the area and food offering in the town.

“We don’t have anything like this in that part of the town centre and I can potentially see it working well there.

“I think it shows Basildon is economically in a good place and shows it has a dynamism as the chain feels there is demand for a new restaurant.

“I think its about a balance between the different food offerings we have. I also think this is part of a transition to a mixed use in the town centre.”

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Plans submitted to the council show there would be seating for 80 people in the restaurant.

The chain has one restaurant in Eastgate Shopping Centre and another at the Pipps Hills Retail Park.

Pat Rackley, 71, from Laindon said: “I am not sure it’s the right location for this. There could be parking issues and I am surprised with these plans for that site.

“I do think it’s a good idea in principle. I welcome new jobs and the idea of putting an empty site to use like this.

“I am sure it will be popular and there’s not anything like this in the area.”

In February 2018, it was announced Maplin had gone into administration, putting another 2,500 jobs at risk.

During the Covid pandemic, the former shop was used as a Covid jab centre to help the rollout of vaccines.

Burger King was contacted for comment.