A FISH and chip shop owner is interested in returning the traditional seaside fare to Southend Pier , once Jamie Oliver has finished using his old building.

Paul Van Looy, owner of VL’s cafe, under the pier, wants to reopen a chip shop in the building the celebrity chef is using to film Jamie and Jimmy’s Food Fight Club.

Mr Van Looy, who sold the shop five years ago, said: “I’d love to go back in there. The pier is lovely. It’s a different world.

“The pier misses it. The seaside and fish and chips just go together.

“If the council is looking for a tenant, I’d be up there tomorrow.”

Filming is scheduled to finish next month, before the show airs in November.

Derek Jarvis , Southend councillor responsible for culture and tourism, said several people had expressed interest in taking over the building since it was vacated, but no one had put pen to paper.

He said any future plans for it were put on hold once Mr Oliver asked to film there.

Mr Jarvis said: “It would be great if there were to be something to springboard out of this particular show.

“That end of the pier is getting quite a high profile. I’d like to see it properly used in a way that’s fitting with the character of the pierhead. We would like to see a maritime theme.”

Mr Jarvis would be happy to see Mr Oliver stay in the building. He said: “It would be great to think having enjoyed this time down here they would see it’s a very interesting location.”