A BAKERY is set to expand and open its fourth south Essex site after announcing it will replace a much-loved Westcliff cafe which suddenly closed.

The Garrison Bakery is taking over the Temple Cafe in London Road, Westcliff as it continues to expand across the borough.

The Temple Cafe announced on social media last week that it would be closing but teased that the owners would have a “new venture” opening soon.

The new bakery is hoping to open in the middle of March but, however owner Samantha Jameson is yet to confirm an exact day.

Samantha opened her first bakery ten years ago in Shoebury High Street.

They have since opened two other stores in 142 Eastern Esplanade and 43 Sutton Road.

Samantha said: “We are very excited to open our fourth shop.

“We are expanding over to the west side of the Southend borough as all our other shops are based on the east side.

“We have a great bunch of tight-knit employees who are working really hard to make this happen.

“We feel this is the right time to expand, so hopefully it is a good time. Obviously, with the cost of living, it is not ideal, but we believe if you give people quality products at reasonable prices with friendly service, then it will be OK.

“It has worked at our other three bakeries, so hopefully it will here too.

“We use local producers, and all of our baked products are baked at our Shoebury location every night by our night bakers, ready for the morning.

“Our bread is also vegan. This is all extremely important to us.”

The Garrison Bakery specialise in freshly baked goods made from scratch in their own Shoebury Bakehouse.

They then used the freshly baked good to offer bagels, toasties and sandwiches to name a few products.

The statement from Temple Cafe on Facebook said: “Temple Café is now closed.

“Thank you to our wonderful customers for your ongoing support and our staff for their hard work and dedication.

“Look out for a new venture opening soon at our location. Thank you and goodbye.”