WAGAMAMA is drawing up plans to open a new restaurant in the heart of Southend.

The chain - which specialises in Asian cuisine inspired by the flavours of Japan - is seeking a new licence for the restaurant in the former Bella Italia n London Road, Southend near the Victoria shopping centre.

The move by the chain - which specialises in fresh noodles and curries - comes as an ambitious £4million investment programme including new lights, CCTV and more outdoor eating, nears completion.

Business bosses hope the investment and Wagamama’s plans will act as a catalyst for a trade boom and a boost for the new city.

They also hope long-held ambitions of al-fresco dining and cafe culture in that part of Southend will now start to emerge.

Carlos Gomez, 56, manager at Salsa Tapas and Grill, London Road, Southend, said: “I think people will love the more outdoor eating trend.

“It will draw much more trade and business up our end of the city centre. I can see it being very good for us and we do need it.

“I do think it’s so weather dependent but it will work great here. I think the area is looking much better and the lighting and CCTV boosts the image while making people feel safer.

“We’ve been seeing the impact with good trade in January and February already.”

He said the improved street and business areas will and can only see more customers, visitors and diners flock to the part of the city centre.

Southend Council is working on a £4million plan to transform the area dubbed the gateway to the high street.

Works include pedestrianising parts of London Road with more outdoor eating and restaurant seating with more lighting, benches and planters.

The city authority is also pushing and working on a cafe culture for businesses and eateries.

Carole Mulroney, Lib Dem councillor for environment, culture, tourism and planning hopes to see it become a dining quarter for the city centre.

She said: “I think this part of the city has been transformed and it was needed as that end of the high street did feel a little forgotten at times.

“The works are and will have a significant impact and Wagamama is a big firm and having them showing interest shows the confidence it has in our city.

“I think a nice dining quarter will be good there and we know food areas of shopping centres are always the busiest.

“I think the CCTV and lighting does make it safer but a more vibrant area with more people and businesses helps this too.”

One of the key new additions is the so called way-finding stone which has been installed at the top of the High Street, outside Victoria Shopping Centre.

It includes key dates and figures in the history of Southend, including when the Kursaal first opened and highlighting stand out attractions such as Southend Pier.