Plans to turn Lakeside Shopping Centre's pavilion into restaurants and snack bars have been met with disappointment by councillors.

They are concerned that what was once described as Lakeside's answer to Covent Garden will disappear - and that they will have no say in its change.

Thurrock Council's development control committee was considering an application from Capital Shopping Centres - Lakeside's owners - to change the use of the two-storey area which faces the lake.

The committee was even told that the application itself may not have been necessary as the building as a whole would remain a shopping centre.

Councillor Barrie Lawrence said: "It is a shame that one of the nicest parts of Lakeside, a development we can all be proud of, is going to be taken away.

"The pavilion is unique, providing a home for small traders alongside all the big players - it is something which makes Lakeside different from the monstrosity across the river."

Pearl Betts, chairing this week's meeting, added: "I have a lot of concerns for these so-called market traders in the pavilion, but it seems there is not a lot we can do."

A report to the committee explained it was proposed to create 15 food and drink units within the pavilion - half a dozen restaurants and nine smaller take-away facilities.

It added: "The applicants state... that the majority of the displaced stall and kiosk operators ... will be given the opportunity of being relocated elsewhere in the malls of the shopping centre."

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