AN award-winning Old Leigh pub could be set to expand after it submitted plans for a new shop front and seafood serving hatch.

The Mayflower, in High Street, is a favourite with real ale connoisseurs and fish and chip lovers alike.

Last year it also had a blink-and-you-miss-it appearance in a Vauxhall Corsa television advert, filmed in the borough in late 2014.

The pub’s owner, Robin Levy, is now looking to capitalise on the pub’s successes by expanding its bar area, installing a new shop front to the side of their rock shop, creating a new serving hatch for fresh seafood and opening up the main pub entrance with bi-fold doors.

Paul Gilson, 62, of Southend and Leigh fisherman’s association, has been visiting pubs in Old Leigh since he was old enough to drink and welcomed the expansion.

He said: “It is certainly quite popular and the pub I have visited most in Old Leigh in recent times.

“It is quite homely and very friendly and is maybe bucking the trend of pubs that are maybe not doing as well – it certainly serves a good pint.

“I wouldn’t object to the extensions, they would be good for the area.”

Extending to the east would allow for the fresh seafood serving hatch to add to the pub’s current offering of hot food and the rock shop, while the western extension would expand the bar area and give punters a view out over Leigh Creek.

The plans do not meet the approval of everyone though, with the town council’s planning, highways and licensing committee objecting to one specific aspect of the proposals.

Richard Herbert, chairman of the council and a member of the committee, said: “The only part of the application that we objected to was the extension on the eastern side.

“If it went ahead it would open directly onto the car park and we felt people congregating here would pose a danger with cars manoeuvring in the neighbouring car park.”

PROUD HISTORY

HOUSED in a Victorian building and tucked away at the end of the High Street, the Mayflower pub could be easy to miss.

However, since it was opened in 2009 it has developed a sterling reputation and continues to go from strength to strength.

The pub is named after the famous Mayflower ship that took pilgrims from Plymouth to New World, now known as America, in 1620.

The ship is thought to have called at Leigh to take on provisions and passengers on its voyage to Plymouth, in modern day Massachussetts, America.

AWARD WINNING

THE pub has just been named as the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) south east Essex pub of the year - for the third year running!

The pub has five real ales on at all time, with two permanent choices three guests, as well as serving food from their own in-house fish and chip shop.

After winning the award for the last two years, a third award means CAMRA are looking into getting a plaque for the pub, to mark their achievement.

Maggie Osborn, CAMRA rep for south east Essex, said of the planned developments at the pub: “It is a very good sign of a pub doing well.

“What really matters to us is the quality of their beers and the fact that as well as having breweries from around the world, they really support local Essex breweries.

“The atmosphere is really nice there too – in winter and summer, and they do good quality food.”