A NEW Jazz bar and restaurant could open just doors away from the Cricketers pub in Westcliff under fresh plans submitted to Southend Council.

The council has received a licensing application by a company listed as Jazz Bar and Restaurant Ltd in a bid to sell booze and play music at 242 London Road.

The building was previously a shop selling building materials named County, and is just a few doors away from the Cricketers pub on the corner of London Road and Milton Road.

Colin Campbell, Conservative councillor responsible for economic growth and investment, welcomed the proposed bar and highlighting the city’s long-standing links to jazz.

Southend is already home to the Jazz Centre, at the Beecroft Gallery, in Victoria Avenue, Southend, known as the “UK’s home of jazz”.

He said: “It will be great to have a jazz bar open up and add to the cultural offer of our city.

“Councillor Kevin Buck and the administration were instrumental in saving the Jazz Centre UK from closing down, and I am sure residents will love another unique premises to visit.

“We have a vast array of businesses in our city, and this is another great investment in the right direction.”

Back in early 2023, the Jazz Centre was at risk of closure, after the former administration gave the business 12 months’ notice to leave the Beecroft and find an alternative space.

However, this was later reversed in June 2023.

The new jazz bar and restaurant is hoping to sell alcohol between midday and 11pm Monday to Thursday, and midday until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Times given for live music and recorded music are from midday and 11pm between Sundays to Thursdays, and noon to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Despite submitting a licensing application, there are no further details on the Jazz Bar and Restaurant proposals at this stage.