THE face of London Road could be radically changed if plans to demolish and rebuild offices are approved.

LBH Insurance Brokers has submitted plans to Southend Council to demolish its “antiquated” offices next to Aldi in Westcliff and construct a modern block of offices with nine flats on four storeys designed by Leigh firm KnightGratrix Architects.

The current building is also in residential use, with a Chinese takeaway and an Italian street food cafe on either side of the insurance brokers’ offices, which are leased to the company.

Managing director Tony Paviour said the changes, which include adding another storey, were largely for the benefit of staff by creating a better working environment.

He said: “Ours is an antiquated building by the new Aldi block and the new Chalkwell Lawns offices, and sticks out like a sore thumb.

“It’s also not the best of environments for working in and it would be much better for our staff to have a modern office to work in.

“We’re keeping our fingers crossed and will wait and see what the council decides.”

Mr Paviour added, should the plans be approved, demolition work would not be able to start until the leases on the two adjacent units ran their course – though said he could not divulge when this would be.

The plans would see two open plan commercial spaces built on the ground floor, two two-bedroom and one one-bedroom flats on the first floor, second floor and third floor, as well as 12 car parking spaces for the flats.

A design and access statement on the application states the commercial space has been reduced from three units to two due to “evidence of recently completed modern office accommodation in London Road lying vacant.”

LBH Insurance Brokers was founded in 1949 and occupied its London Road offices from the early 1950s.

The firm intends to relocate to the new offices once construction is completed.