Shoebury East Beach cafes are starting to take shape

The framework for two beachfront cafes is in place and work is set to begin to construct the exterior of the cafes in coming weeks.

The new units are being built on the site of a former cafe which burnt down more than 20 years ago.

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Work is expected to be completed by the autumn when the new tenants will move in to fit out their businesses.

A council spokesman said: “Work is progressing well on the East Beach cafes, with the steel frame now largely completed. The next phase of works will see the external envelope developed.

The council will announce occupier details once tenancy agreements are signed - probably late summer.”

Derek Jarvis, councillor responsible for arts, culture, heritage and leisure, welcomed the cafe development designed by the previous Labour-led joint administration.

He said: “Like everyone I’ve been watching it come together. I’m looking forward to it being completed and hopefully it will live up to the expectation they had for it when they designed the car park and the lighting.

“It’s a very commercial area and it ought to succeed because people do like to come and be beside the sea.”

Peter Lovett, vice-chairman of Shoebury Residents Association, said: “People are people are anxious to get a permanent cafe there. It’s the ideal thing to have there.

“They were going to do three the same and I said why do three the same. Why not have one big one and they said they wanted competition but you are not going to get somebody buy a cafe and then someone rents one next door and then be forced into competition so they changed it.”

The cafes form part of a £2 million regeneration scheme and will feature sail-like canopies for outdoor dining, and could even be licensed to sell alcohol.

A toilet block on the beach, which includes a large greensward, has been renovated, and improvements have been made to a large car park area.

The cafes, which have been given planning permission, will be in a staggered row and are designed with pitched green roofs, similar to nearby beach huts.

Taking shape - East Beach cafes