A NEW restaurant and takeaway specialising in “street food” could open in Westcliff’s iconic Arches under new plans.

Southend Council has received a planning application to build an “enclosed seating area” on the front of the empty restaurant in Palmeira Parade.

The site was previously run by Arches Fish Bar, and before that, the Garden Cafe, but it has been empty for at least a year.

Plans have now been submitted by Georgios Malekos, with designs drawn up by Design Associates Ltd, to open a “street food-style” business serving ready to go meals for customers on the seafront.

The designs show plans for a proposed blue outdoor dining area in front of the current unit which will be used as the kitchen and preparation area.

Matt Dent, Southend Labour councillor responsible for culture, tourism, and business, thought it would be a great addition to the Arches.

He said: “It is always fantastic to welcome a new business to Southend.

“We want to see our city as a thriving place for new and old businesses alike.

“From the computer-generated images I think this will be an excellent addition to our seafront.”

If approved, the new business will be located next to the former long-standing Dino’s Café which closed in 2022 when the owner retired owner after 32-years in charge.

The business could join a long list of successful and long-standing businesses at the Arches in Westcliff, including the Estuary and the Riverside Café.

Southend has recently started becoming a magnet for people eating out and enjoying a drink as big-name companies and independent restaurants queue up to invest in the city centre.

Wendy’s and Black Sheep Coffee are both set to open in the High Street. Mediterranean restaurant Black and Red Bistro Grill, Mexican eatery Plan Burrito and Asian-inspired Sokuri have also all thrown open their doors in recent months.

The proposed outdoor eating area will have glass panels around it so diners can take in the views of the seafront.

The plans state that the business would bring three new jobs to the city. The opening hours proposed after from 7am until 9pm from Monday to Friday, 7am until 10pm on Saturday’s and 7am to 9pm on Sunday’s.