NEW kiosks are set to replace the Shoebury East Beach cafe which burnt down more than 20 years ago, it has been revealed.

Confirmation of the plan came as Southend Council revealed a new £2miliion investment package for the popular, crowd-pulling beach.

The kiosks, which could sell hot food and drink, have been touted alongside a £2million investment, including improvements to toilets and additional lighting. 

East Beach car park is also set to be resurfaced in the hope of creating a more welcoming environment for visitors, encouraging them to stay for longer.

But the move is said to be “long overdue”, with residents and visitors enduring problems with litter and barbecues over the past few summers.

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Nick Ward, Independent councillor for Shoebury, said: “It’s great to have this kind of spending power in Shoebury once again.

“The car park is underused, and the lighting needs improving. That will help bring people to the beach in the winter. It’s so overdue, but we’re glad the beach has been recognised.

“We had problems with barbecues and litter, as well as car parking accessiblity.

There will be better bins down there, and better everything really. I’m going to push for improved access to the car park and the train station. That will help too.

“There’s a lot to improve.”

The funding comes as part of Southend Council’s draft budget, which has yet to be approved by councillors.

Peter Grubb, owner of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, urged the council to include a new overflow car park in the plans. 

He added: “There’s insufficient parking at East Beach. There isn’t enough car parking for when it’s at peak capacity.

“There’s a lot of plans at the moment for Shoebury and East Beach that will hopefully bring a lot of visitors.”

Shoebury Labour councillor Anne Chalk added: “The entrance to the beach is dodgy. That does need improving.

“We need the money to be used in a positive plan. It’s a beautiful place, we don’t want to ruin it.

“I also don’t think the cycle path on the beach needs much improvement.

“We want to keep it as a green space as much as we can. There will be huge improvements, and it’s great to see after all this time.”