AN INTERNATIONAL cafe operator is set to open within weeks in another huge boost to the Victoria Shopping Centre. 

Esquires Coffee bosses have confirmed that it will open in the shopping centre at the top of Southend High Street by the end of April. 

It comes after Caffe Expresso shut in the shopping centre at the start of this year, much to the disappointment of shoppers. 

Esquires Coffee was due to open at the end of February, however, issues with materials and supplies have caused a delay. 

It comes just days after a deal was completed for Boom Battle Bar to open across two floors at the shopping centre, replacing the former Tangs Buffett. 

A spokesman for Southend Council said: “Esquires is due to open at the end of April with it likely to be the week after Easter.

“The tenant has been fitting out at the moment, but had a slight delay with materials so are aiming for the end of that month.”

Southend Council purchased the shopping centre for £10million in December 2020, and have since led a transformation of the site. 

Rather than focusing on retail, “alternative uses” have been top of the agenda for the council with a indoor bouldering wall opening on the top floor, a blood test centre on the ground floor, as well as the addition of Boom Battle Bar. 

Boom Battle Bar will offer axe-throwing, electronic darts, shuffle-board, as well as cocktails and food. 

Esquires Coffee has sites across the UK and Ireland, with one already in Basildon, but this will be the company’s first in Southend.

The firm places a strong focus on protecting the plant and being ethical, only serving “organic and Fairtrade coffee that ensures coffee farmers are paid fairly” as well as making all their cups fully compostable and 100 per cent recyclable.

Paul Collins, Liberal Democrat councillor responsible for asset management and inward investment, added: “It is a common story at the moment.

“When things involve materials, it can be a difficult thing as it is hard to get material at the moment.

“But when they do open it will be good to have a business like this, something that can advertise itself, and be an important chain business in the centre.

“We look forward to welcoming Esquires Coffee.”

Esquires Coffee was contacted for comment by the Echo but is yet to respond.