THE addition of high-end, quality restaurants in Chelmsford is a “vote of confidence” in the city.

The recent opening of Essex boy Jamie Oliver’s Trattoria, on the High Street, was hailed asamajor boost to the catering on offer in the city.

Now it’s gearing up for another addition in the shape of US-style steakhouse Chop Bloc, in Grays Brewery Yard.

Councillor Neil Gulliver, who is in charge of economic development, said it was exciting.

He added: “It’s interesting how more Essex boys are coming back to their roots! 

"In Chelmsford, we offer a high number of people for those who want to set up business.

“The failure rate of new restaurants is quite high, so when people see where they want to go and they come here and open, it’s a real compliment and a vote of confidence in the city.”

Mr Gulliver added: “People’s ways of shopping now have changed.

“When I come into the city centre now, I go the shops, then have lunch and sometimes go to the cinema.”

Chop Bloc is due to open in mid- January.

Chelmsford brothers Steve, 30, and Dave Patten, 27, have been fighting for three years to see their idea come to fruition.

Their concept is to specialise in high-quality meat that is butchered and dry-aged at the restaurant and offered at affordable prices.

By trade they are meat wholesalers and say by cutting out the middle man they can offer the same quality of meat found in premium London restaurants, but cheaper. They said: “Chelmsford is very under served with this kind of restaurant.

“It’s a commuter town, but we wanted to bring that London concept to people here. It’s an exciting place to be right now with big retailers such as John Lewis moving into the city.”

David Birch, director of policy at Essex Chambers of Commerce, said it was the London-effect people who commute into work were having on the town.

He said: “They’re getting used to having different restaurants in London, so businesses are realising the opportunity to start something similar in Chelmsford.”