A new Italian restaurant is set to open in Billericay - bringing 15 jobs to the town.

The upmarket ASK pizza and pasta restaurant is set to open its doors in Billericay High Street in September, with seating for between 80 and 100 people.

It is thought a probable location for the restaurant could be the historic Alexander's Bakery building, which has shut up shop.

Although Gavin Alexander, chairman of the bakery, refused to make any comment on the plans, the site has the necessary planning agreement to be used as a restaurant.

Planning permission was also given at the last Billericay area committee meeting for an extension to the property, allowing a single and two storey rear extension and conservatory.

Antonio Lopez, who will manage the new Billericay ASK restaurant, said he was looking forward to running the new site.

He said: "We will be opening up there by the middle of September.

"I understand there are not too many Italians in Billericay so we should be able to offer local people something new.

"It's a very exciting project, I can't wait to go to Billericay."

He explained the Billericay restaurant would be based firmly on the style of the company's restaurant in Southend town centre.

Billericay town councillor Trevor Stansfield said it would be sad to lose Alexander's, which he had used regularly, but hoped the new restaurant would make a success of business in Billericay.

He said: "I hope they are an up-market restaurant as I hear is the case with ASK and I hope things go well for them and they can stand the strong competition."

Other Billericay High Street restaurants such as Papa Pizza will have fresh competition when ASK moves in.

Pizza base? - Alexander's bakery could become the home of a new ASK pizza and pasta restaurant

Picture: MIKE MINERS

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