COFFEE lovers in Southend will certainly be spoilt for choice when the sixth dedicated shop opens in the High Street this week.

The former HSBC bank is being taken over by continental coffee house chain Caffe Nero.

When it opens on Friday, it will vie with two Starbucks, two Costa Coffees and a recently-opened Nosh.

There are also coffee shops and bars just off the High Street and within shops, such as Marks and Spencer, as well as in the Victoria and Royals shopping centres.

John Lamb, councillor responsible for regeneration and enterprise, said it was important to maintain a good proportion of different shops, but he welcomed the addition of Caffe Nero.

He said: “I welcome the fact we are seeing a number of new shops right through the High Street to fill the void.

“I wouldn’t want to see the town centre too overburdened with cafes, but I would welcome them being open later because this is the sort of thing which will start to encourage people to stay longer.

“We want to see people with families happy to stay and have something to eat after they have visited the town to shop, rather than everyone going home.

“We need to have a nice mix of independent businesses and chains so people can come and enjoy the town, especially in the evening now spring is here.”

Bosses at Caffe Nero have said they will maintain the classic architecture of buildings such as arches, columns and large windows.

Lib Dem councillor Graham Longley said: “I have been a supporter of cafe society for a long time, but I have been trying to get the council to put in place a process whereby cafes and shops, if they have tables outside, have to abide by a certain standard.

“The old bank was being used as a gambling machine shop so I think most people will be pleased it is not going to be used for anything like that again.

“There must come a time when we reach a maximum for these places, but the fact this place is opening suggests maybe we haven’t reached that stage yet.”