A NEW cafe and bistro has opened in Southend’s landmark seafront Kursaal building.

Matthew Chambers is the cafe boss and also director of Kursaal Functions, a company which has been adding attractions to the first-floor of the building, in Southchurch Avenue, for more than two years.

Mr Chambers is offering space to local artists on the first-floor of the Kursaal, allowing them to display their work for free, one week at a time.

He said: “When people get here they can enjoy the cafe and the added value of art exhibitions as well, plus other attractions we can think of and add later.

“The whole idea is to get the place buzzing during the week.

“As well as the function rooms, we have also got a wedding licence for this part of the Kursaal and now we want to attract arts and crafts.”

The cafe is on the first-floor under the dome and is called Cafe Kursaal.