In Other News, Southend’s Obesity Rates Set To Rise…

National bakery Muffin Break will be opening in the former Early Learning Centre unit in the town’s main shopping strip later this month, creating 13 jobs.

Seating 75 people, the new outlet will serve coffee, handmade cakes, pies, and sandwiches, as well as freshly baked muffins.

The national chain, which has 60 units nationwide, is opening its first south Essex branch of Muffin Break.

And the new unit fits in with Southend Council’s desire to see more eateries on the High Street, in a bid to ward off a decline in traditional shopping.

Their desire to see more eateries? Are they kidding?

Some of you may be wondering if Southend is a food desert. Well, start at the top end of the High St, and to your right, you have Salsa, Pizza Express, East Coast Social, Ask, Bella Italia, Creams, a grilled chicken place, a buffet Indian and Nandos. To your left, you have Greggs, Subway and the Slug and Lettuce.

Now move off down the High St itself, and you have Starbucks, McDonalds, Burger King, another Greggs, Thornton’s Ice Cream, The Pipe of Port, Costa Coffee, KFC, the Pasty shop, another McDonalds, yet another Greggs, Valerie Patisserie, another tea shop, another Subway, another Costa Coffee, a fish & chip shop, Tomassi’s and then you’re at the end.

The seafront is groaning with places, and this little trek leaves out the little side roads where you can get gourmet burgers, fish & chips, Italian meals, hot dogs, noodles and buffet Chinese, not to mention the shopping malls – Victoria and Royals.

You ain’t gonna starve here...