Work has started on Billericay's controversial new £1 million pub.

The old Co-Op building in the High Street's was today being transformed into the Blue Boar as part of ambitious plans by pub chain J D Wetherspoon.

Bosses have promised 30 jobs for local people when it opens its doors to customers in April.

Mark Clarke, Wetherspoon's architect, said contractors had already stripped out asbestos in the building and were busy digging holes for drainage.

He said: "We are putting in a new roof light, suspended ceilings and seating booths. It is going to be a typical Wetherspoon pub."

The work is bad news for commuters who have been using the car park behind the pub.

It is now closed to them to make way for contractors' deliveries.

Wetherspoon received permission to change the use of the building when the Billericay area committee's objection was dramatically overturned by Basildon Council.

The development forms part of a nationwide drive by the chain to create 3,000 jobs in 90 new pubs by the end of the year.

Pubwatch, the association of pub owners in Billericay, launched an unsuccessful appeal against the new establishment.

Gary Stewart, its chairman and manager of Quilters, said: "Billericay doesn't need another pub - we already have more than enough in the town.

"This pub will bring in another 300 or 400 people to the High Street and will only add to the worries of residents in the neighbourhood."

Wetherspoons has insisted it will do all it can to calm concerns including the installation of CCTV cameras and the use of toughened pint glasses.

Residents with enquires about work at the site should contact Lawrence Tring Architects on 0171 536 2100.

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