A FORMER hairdressers could be transformed into a stylish tapas restaurant and cocktail bar on a thriving street packed full of independent businesses.

A licensing application has been submitted for 32 Alexandra Street, Southend, where hairdresser Grateful Heads was based, as part of proposals to transform the space into “Sahara Taps Restaurant and Cocktail Bar”.

The license is for the sale of alcohol on the premises from Sunday to Thursday between 12pm and midnight, extended to midnight on Friday and Saturday.

The business would join the likes of Bunker 19, Twelve Cocktails, Sun Rooms 2, Moonlight Bar and Restaurant and the Terrace Bar in the street as yet another late night business.

Ellie Tiley, owner of Luxe Beauty just above the former hairdresser believes the business will be positive for the street.

She said: “It will definitely help, I run a beauty salon above it, it is a bit different to what I was expecting, it is a bit of a change for me but we will see how it goes.

“It may work out great and sometimes in the evening it is quiet down here, it could bring some life to the town.

“Where we are above it, we don’t hear downstairs and it could benefit us, it will definitely help, just people coming here will benefit us.

“We don’t get much footfall; we get word of mouth so if people are going downstairs it will really help.”

Other businesses on the street that have been praised for their independence are By the Sea Vintage – who offer a range of vintage and second-hand clothing as well as celebrated book store Books on Sea.

The application also covers both recorded and live music at the same hours as the alcohol license with late night refreshments also available until late.

Ellie added: “Southend High Street is full of chains and it is hard to work out what helps, some people love it.

“It is another independent business on the street, though, so let’s hope it is successful.”