SIXTY jobs are set to be created when a major new venue opens in Southend’s Victoria Shopping Centre. 

Tonight, Southend Council bosses are set to discuss a deal over a “new letting” at the shopping centre - believed to be Boom Battle Bar. 

Southend Council and Boom Battle Bar bosses have remained tight-lipped on the venue, however plans were agreed for a change of use at the proposed location in September last year. 

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The new venue will replace the former Tangs Buffet restaurant and will operate across two floors within the shopping centre. 

Boom Battle Bar has venues across the country, including one at Lakeside and one in Chelmsford, and offers axe-throwing, interactive darts, beer pong and a number of other fun attractions. 

Southend Council has insisted a deal is close to completion despite refusing to confirm the operator of the venue. 

Matt Dent, Labour councillor responsible for the Kursaal ward, was delighted to hear this news.

He said: “I mean it would be fantastic if it is Boom Battle Bar.

“I have been to similar places before and if that is what it is it would add another dimension to what we already have on offer in Southend.

“It would also be another attraction for people coming here and is exactly the sort of experienced based offer the city centre needs to increase footfall.

“It is also great, that whatever the site will be, that there will be 60 new jobs on offer.

“Anything to bring more jobs to Southend is good. With the cost of living crisis we want to bring more jobs in to the city and help benefit the people of Southend.

“It is great news to hear of this new venue.”

Back in 2020, Southend Council purchased the Victoria shopping centre for £10million.

Since, the council has been attempting to “diversify” the offering in the shopping centre, with a climbing wall opening as well as a blood test centre. 

Paul Collins, Liberal Democrats councillor responsible for asset management and inward investment, said: “In September the council received approval for a change of use to a large and key unit within the Victoria Centre which has been vacant since early 2020.

“We hope to make an announcement on progress very soon.”

The agenda for tonight’s cabinet meeting reveals 60 new jobs would be created and that the deal will bring a “national operator” to the shopping centre.