THE second of two new cafes on Shoebury East Beach, built as part of a £2million regeneration scheme, is under offer ahead of opening.

Southend Council is staying tight-lipped about who may be about to sign on the dotted line for the cafe, but an offer has been made and could be agreed soon.

Southend Council has built the two new cafes on the site of a former cafe which burnt down more than 20 years ago.

Daniel Levy opened the first café earlier this year and it has proved to be a popular venue.

Peter Lovett, chairman of Shoebury Residents’ Association, said: “They’ve spent a huge amount of money on it so it would be sad to see it sit there empty and it’s another facility for East Beach. It livens up the beach. We worked a lot on Shoebury Common and got that to a position where it’s nice for Shoebury residents and we want East Beach to be the same.

“Those cafes are going to get people on site so the more we can do the better. I’m hoping it will be something slightly different. Instead of a cafe it could be a restaurant. I can’t imagine anyone buying a place and wanting to be exactly the same as next door.”

The cafes form part of a £2million regeneration scheme, however there have been concerns the site couldn’t sustain two adjacent cafes.

The second building has been marketed at a rent of £30,000 a year and for “food use only”.

Mr Levy is not looking forward to competition in the neighbouring building.

He said: “We’re doing okay but it would definitely harm us if another one came along, that’s for sure. There’s not enough business here for two without a doubt but there is enough for one nice comfortable business. Of course I would say that but it’s true.

“It might be something else but the council believes there is this covenant by the Mod saying it can only be a cafe. But that’s not correct.

“We’re doing okay though. It’s hard work but nothing is easy.”