AN angry trader has hit out at the council for blocking his plans to revamp a seafront kiosk which he hoped would boost visitors.

Richard Gladwin, who runs the Wish You Were Here Kiosk, in Eastern Esplanade, wanted to refurbish the shack by reinforcing the building and putting a roof over decking so he could serve hot food, like a cafe.

However, planning officials at Southend Council have turned down the proposals, claiming the new-look kiosk would be too overbearing on the seafront.

Southend Council owns the building, but leases it to Mr Gladwin, who serves hot takeaway food from it.

Mr Gladwin, who also runs the adjacent Arnold Palmer Putting Course, said: “In one breath the council says it wants people to be interested in coming to this part of town, then in another it says no to this plan.

“This would have really revamped a run-down and tired building. We designed it in line with a lot of the other seafront buildings. We just wanted to refurbish the kiosk.”

Mr Gladwin had also wanted to reinforce the roof of the kiosk as it had been broken into numerous times by vandals.

His planning agent, RoyHunt, said: “It should have gone to a council vote as plenty of councillors praised it.”

In turning down the proposal, planning officer Sophie Glendinning said: “The proposed development, by virtue of its size, appearance, and extension onto the beach, would result in a dominant and obtrusive development that will result in the loss of open space.”

Graham Longley, Southend Lib Dem councillor responsible for enterprise, tourism and economic development, said: “Of course we welcome investment and regeneration of our seafront, but we also have to balance that with maintaining the character and openness of this area and any application must have regard for the seafront planning policies.

“I hope the operators and agents can work with us to see if the reasons for refusal can be overcome.”