A BASILDON bakery is aiming to bring a continental flavour to the town square with a new outdoor seating area.

Greggs has submitted an application for planning permission to use pavement space directly outside the shop.

Deputy mayor and vice-chairman of the commercial and strategic asset acquisition sub-committee, councillor David Burton-Sampson, said: “I think it’s a positive thing for for the town centre. As you know there are significant regeneration plans going ahead with the new market and the new cinema coming to Town Square and this will be a nice added touch.

“Anything that heightens the experience for visitors to the town is a real positive and an outside seating area just adds a different experience for visitors locally, and those from out of town.

“We already have a number of cafes with outside seating areas and they are very popular. I think this can be nothing but positive for the town centre and I look forward to seeing the changes.”

The outside seating area will be surrounded with barriers and accompanied by a a litter bin, provided for customers to dispose of waste.

The proposed plans suggest two tables and eight chairs will be placed outside the retail outlet in Town Square, utilising the 12.7sq m of pavement for an al fresco dining experience.

Residents are viewing the changes positively.

Michaela Beck, of Clay Hill Road, said: “I think it’s a nice idea.

“Admittedly summer is over now but there’s always next year when it would be a nice addition to the town centre.

“I guess it offers more options for anyone visiting town if they want more than just a quick bite.

“It’s obviously a very reasonably priced chain so its very popular, but sometimes you don’t want to have to eat on the go so this will be nice for people.”

The plans come months after permission was granted to install a new aluminium shopfront and signage, as regeneration of the town centre continues in a bid to make it much more appealing for residents and visitors alike.