A NEW pizza restaurant and takeaway business will open along Southend seafront after plans were given the green light.

Southend Council has approved a planning application to see a former vape shop at 37 Eastern Esplanade transformed into a pizza business.

The plans have seen the site overhauled and kitted out with a kitchen and tables to serve pizza both in-house and as a takeaway.

Despite it being revealed as a pizza-based business, at this stage, there are no further details in the plans on the name of the pizza restaurant and whether it is a chain.

However, Matt Dent, Labour councillor responsible for the Kursaal ward, was delighted to hear the plans had been approved.

He said: “I very much welcome any new business opening in Southend.

“Our aspiration is to make Southend one of the best places to do business in the country.

“Any business that is opening up here is always very welcome.

“It is also worth noting that there aren’t actually many pizza restaurants along the seafront.

“So, I think this will really offer something new to the area as well as complementing the existing businesses that we already have in that area too.

“I wish them all the best and I hope they succeed.”

The former shop at 37 Eastern Esplanade, Puff DadE vape shop, reportedly closed down towards the end of 2023.

Southend has recently started becoming a magnet for new businesses and places for people to eat out.

The approved plans come just days after seven new businesses were announced to be opening up in the Victoria Shopping Centre following a unique competition.

Mr Dent added: “I think all of this is a vote of confidence in Southend and the city as a whole at the moment.

“I very much hope to see this continue.”