Wetherspoon bosses have assured Basildon punters they are still committed to a £3million pub with a roof terrace in the town.
Basildon Council has agreed plans to build the three-storey pub on the site of the former Poundworld in East Walk - close to the town’s new £25 million cinema complex earlier this year.
But two months on Wetherspoon bosses are remaining tight lipped on when the pub could open.
Spokesperson Eddie Gershon said: “Wetherspoon is committed to opening its new pub in Basildon.
“It is on our list of pubs to develop, however there are no confirmed dates as yet.”
The ground floor will feature an open bar, dining, and drinking areas, with the first floor accommodating a duplicate.
The second floor will be home to staff facilities and meeting rooms.
A main highlight of the new premises is the addition of a roof terrace, which is set to offer sweeping views of the £25 million East Square cinema complex.
Craig Rimmer, councillor responsible for economic stimulus and tourism, said: “I am very excited to have the new much improved Wetherspoons coming soon to the Town Centre.
“It will be even more popular with Basildon residents - with more floor space and its roof terrace.”
Plans were submitted to the council in November 2022 after the chain’s previous bar and restaurant in the borough Moon on the Square shut its doors last September.
They stated that 60 new jobs will be created as part of the new pub.
The news came as dozens of the brand’s locations across the UK ceased trading since the Covid pandemic.
Last year, it was also announced that Wetherspoon would be selling 32 of their pubs, stating it was a “commercial decision”.
The £3million investment to the borough sits a stone’s throw away from the ever-delayed Empire Cinema.
With the company entering administration last month, it was revealed that other big-name cinema chains have approached the council as they see it as a “golden opportunity”.
However, Mr Rimmer has previously told the Echo that they are “committed” to working with the administrators and Empire to ensure the cinema will open in the future.
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