A TRENDY coffee chain could soon open in the old Post Office in Southend High Street. 

Speciality coffee shop Black Sheep Coffee could join Starbucks, Costa and a whole range of coffee shops in the city centre. 

Black Sheep Coffee, an up-and-coming coffee chain with almost 100 sites across the UK, has submitted plans to replace the signs and open in the old Post Office that closed in 2017.

It comes amid growth of restaurants and cafes in Southend High Street, including a new Wendy's American fast-food restaurant just a stone's throw away from one of the High Street's McDonald's.

The Post Office building has remained empty ever since and plans have been welcomed despite a growing number of coffee shops in the High Street.

The coffee shop chain already boasts businesses in Colchester and Chelmsford after rapid expansion in recent years, but this would be its first in south Essex.

The chain prizes itself on barista prepared premium coffees as well as a range of smoothies, pastries, bagels and toasties.

It comes after the news last month that Wendy’s - a famous American burger chain - is also hoping to open in the High Street.

The former Post Office, based in Southend High Street, closed its doors in March 2017 and reopened in WH Smith, 30 metres away in an effort to slash costs.

At the time, Post Office bosses said the move, which followed a public consultation, would safeguard future services in the town.