IT IS fast becoming a mecca for foodies and great nights out...and business is booming.

Leigh Road in Leigh, cheek by jowl with bustling Leigh Broadway, is bustling with independent businesses.

The restaurant Food by John Lawson is hidden gem and many up-and-coming restaurants and bars are making a name for themselves.

Now, cocktail bar Chin Chin has opened and it is believed Italian restaurant, GustoSi will open soon.

The secret of Leigh Road’s success is independent businesses and healthy competition, say traders and residents.

Kevin Roberts, 45, owner of Leigh Road Cafe, said: “I think the area is up and coming and people see it as a mini London and it’s in its own mini bubble.

“A lot of people living here work in London and they are reminded of where they work here.

“It’s a good place to open a restaurant and we get lots of people from other areas such as Brentwood and other parts of Essex.

“Leigh also has a good reputation too and there is a lot of quality businesses and lots of businesses are independent too.

“We also have a lot of variation and I think people buy into the independent businesses more than the big chains.”

There are at least fourteen restaurants in Leigh Road with more planned to open soon.

GustoSi is set to be opened by Rocco Dileone who has owned the Flying Pasta in Westcliff, nestled in between Piccolo and Padrino Pizzeria in Shorefield Road, since 1997.

Signs are up on the prominent site in Leigh Road, saying it will open soon.

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Echo:

New business Chin Chin also in Leigh Road offers a range of tasty meal and cocktails.

In addition, plans were originally submitted to Southend Council last year for a new three-floored, glass-front restaurant, with the applicants submitting a number of minor amendments in recent months.

The new restaurant - which will create 40 new jobs - would sit near the Grand, which is currently being transformed into 18 apartments as well as a spa and a shop.

Echo:

Leigh resident Nigel Platts, 56, said: “I think there’s a lot to offer businesses in Leigh and that having roads like Leigh Road and Broadway open to traffic helps a lot.

“I also think it helps having lots of businesses which draws more in too. The town also has a good reputation as well.

“It’s a very vibrant and bustling town and it’s been like that for some time now.”

Katie Dowsett, 37, from Leigh, said: “Leigh Road has become known for being a good place for restaurants and eateries.

“There’s such a diversity and range of businesses and I like the independent and different businesses.

“Clearly the trading and business conditions are very good here. I also think it’s good to have lots of businesses and competition too.

“I am pleased to see and hear new restaurants and businesses opening here.

“Maybe the popular of the area has something to do with it and the type of people living here.

“I am not at all surprised that more businesses are looking to open and are attracted to open here.

“It is also so close to the sea and coast too.”