The fledgling Charedi community of Canvey Island is planning to open a kosher bakery, subject to the local council approving an application to convert a former Natwest bank building.
Community leader Joel Friedman told the JC it would be a “milestone” for the community, which will soon welcome five new families, taking the total to 67.
The disused building, in the heart of the High Street, was purchased in October by an unnamed member of the community, who handed it over to a support organisation, the Jcoci Educational Foundation, on a lease.
An application to convert part of the building into a bakery was submitted in February, with Castle Point Borough Council set to discuss the proposal “hopefully between Pesach and Shavuot”, Mr Friedman said.