A pioneering plan to bring the latest technology into Billericay's High Street is being developed by the Town Council.

The council has been pushing for more imaginative town centre projects for some time and is now leading a bid to establish a new cyber cafe.

Those behind the plans hope the cafe will be an exciting addition to the town's facilities and attract websurfers both young and old.

Town Council chairman Trevor Stansfield said: "We have been in contact with a firm interested in setting up a cyber cafe and met with them to see what might be feasible for Billericay.

"It is anticipated that the cyber cafe would be fitted out with around 16 computers which would all be linked up to the internet.

"We have identified a possible site and we have passed on the details to the company. We will now have to wait for a response from them.

"There are plans to serve drinks and light snacks which may mean we need to apply for a change of use on the site. But it would be nothing like a restaurant so hopefully there will no major problems."

Mr Stansfield refused to disclose the company's name or the possible site.

The concept of a cyber cafe was raised after Whitbread announced plans to convert furniture store Dowdall and Jordan into a Hogshead Pub earlier this year.

Mr Stansfield said: "I was contacted by the company after I had argued for setting up a cyber cafe at the Dowdall and Jordan site instead of a pub.

"I proposed the cyber cafe because I felt we should be looking at different uses instead of just getting stuck with more pubs and restaurants.

"The Dowdall and Jordan site turned out to be too big, but we were able to find a more suitable location elsewhere in the High Street.

"Hopefully this site will be acceptable, but we would welcome information about any other possible locations in case this one falls through.

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