An "extremely dilapidated" former tattoo parlour along Southend seafront is set to be transformed into a new juice and ice cream bar after plans were green-lit.

Southend Council has approved a planning application this week to replace a former tattoo shop at Pier Hill with a smoothie and ice cream bar.

The new parlour will be located at 11 Pier Hill, in the former Tattoo and Body Piercing studio. This is also located next to the new Scoops 37 site which opened earlier this year.

It is understood that the existing site has remained vacant for at least the past three years and a statement with the plans claimed it is in "an extremely dilapidated condition".

It added: "The proposed use is as a juice bar for the sale of juices, smoothies, sorbets and ice cream. The proposed use would complement very nicely the new ice cream parlour, Scoops, next door immediately to the east, and the more established Rossi’s ice cream parlour situated a very few doors away to the east."

When the plans were unveiled this summer, Daniel Nelson, Conservative councillor responsible for economic growth and investment, agreed owners have chosen "the perfect place for business" with fellow ice cream parlours nearby.

He told the Echo: “Rossi has a stable following, Scoops is offering something new, but all these new ice cream parlours should be welcomed and not feared.

“We have all been down to the seafront and all these ice cream places are rammed, so it allows us to continue to improve our offering. Having spoken to traders in the past, most also relish the competition.”

The proposed opening hours are 11am to 9pm Monday to Sunday. The application received no objections from neighbours, highways and Essex Fire and Rescue, and a planning officer's report stated the the development would "maintain employment at the site" and "contribute to the provision of jobs".