A POPULAR cafe from London's famous Borough Market is branching out into Basildon with works underway for the new business. Maria's Market Square will be opening in Market Square, Basildon on June 25, with bosses insisting it's a family business offering a warm welcome.

It will be the second site by the owners of Maria's Cafe in Borough Market, London Bridge, which has even welcomed the King and Queen for a hot drink. The new cafe is among huge changes to the town centre, with almost 500 new flats being built in Market Square.

There is also the new Vue Cinema complex with restaurants open and various ambitious plans being drawn up. A new kitchen has been fitted to the unit, near Iceland and the former market site, which is also off Southernhay, Basildon. The firm is now working on the frontage and other areas of the new cafe.

A spokesman, for Maria's Market Square, said: "Our London cafe launched in 1969 and now we're bringing that to Basildon, with a twist for the town centre. We will be offering traditional English breakfasts and hearty food into Basildon. We recognise all the regeneration in Basildon and the positive affects that is having. We really believe in it all and everything they are trying to do. I feel Basildon is on the up, and as I live in Basildon, I hope it's everything they say it will be.

"We will be bringing something special and different to the town centre. We are going to have a different menu from other cafes and businesses here. It will be hearty, British food with all the trimmings. There will be some of the classics, with something especially for Basildon.

"We want the Basildon community to know we see ourselves as a family, we want people to come and feel welcome and at home. At Borough Market we have that sense of community. People are not just another customer and we are not a business."

Proposals have been agreed for almost 1,300 homes in the town centre and Basildon Council is working on ambitious plans for hotels, sheltered housing and accommodation and a huge 5,000 seat arena.