Alexandra Street Sahara Tapas Restaurant plans backed

Southend Council’s licensing committee is set to debate an application to open Sahara Tapas Restaurant and Cocktail Bar in Alexandra Street on Monday.

The new bar would open in the site of the former Grateful Heads Hairdresser from midday to midnight Thursday to Sunday, with extra hours on Friday and Saturday.

Traders along the street have shared their excitement to see more businesses moving in to help the transformation of the road into a “vibrant nightlife spot”.

Fiona Foster, owner of By the Sea Vintage just opposite the proposed restaurant, said: “It is quite different, and people will go to it, I have always said that any kind of business is better than an empty one and it will bring a café atmosphere.

“It is good that it is independent; it is exciting and I will definitely go there and support it, the owners are pleasant and I wish them good luck.

“It is good for all of us and it will bring customers in and people down to the street.”

If approved, the restaurant would be the latest in a line of new bars in Alexandra Street including Moonlight Bar and Restaurant, Twelve Cocktails and Bunker 19.

Ms Foster added her business has enjoyed recent success thanks to more people coming down. She has praised the transformation of the street and its “good community.”

Robby Barrow, team member at the Sun Rooms 2, says the opening of a tapas restaurant would be “fantastic for the area.”

He said: “It would be fantastic for the area, this is all about the knock-on effect for all the businesses.”

“This place has basically gone from being derelict to a vibrant nightlife spot,” he added.

“It is really brilliant and hopefully a sign of the times to come, it is another boost.”

Robby has offered support to the owners and people on the street are “always in and out of each other’s businesses, offering support and helping out”.

Southend Council will decide on the application.