Development Ideas Requested

THE future of an empty bank in Leigh will be helped along be the opinions of the town’s residents.

The old Barclays bank in Leigh Broadway has been empty since September 2022. Plans to turn it into a coffee shop patisserie and Airbnb were thrown out by Southend Council earlier this year.

Now owner Mehmed Hassan, who owns the Sand Bar, Baboush and Leigh Food Shack, is asking residents to help him decide on what should next happen the building.

He took to his business’s Facebook accounts to query residents about their preferences for the site, presenting options including a boutique hotel, a restaurant and bar, or new flats.

In the announcement, Mr Hassan said he was “excited to announce” the purchase of the “beautiful old Barclays” adding that he wanted to enquire as to “what residents think it should be developed into”.

Leigh Green Party councillor, Richard Longstaff, praised the business owner for giving residents a say. He said: “Putting this to the public is a good idea, it engages the public and I will have a look myself and think what is best.

“The Airbnb plans didn’t sit well with the public, so engaging with the public is courteous and a welcome approach.”

Plans for any conversion to the building will need the final say of Southend Council.

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