A RESTAURANT entrepreneur says he is “ecstatic’’ his second burger bar is about to launch.

Henry Burgers opens on Wednesday in what was the Louis XIV bar and party venue in Leigh Broadway.

The restaurant is the brainchild of Henry Burgess and follows his transformation of Southend’s Sunrooms nightspot into his own burger bar last September.

Louis XIV has undergone extensive refurbishment, which has seen the upstairs bar removed to make space for more seating. The restaurant will now hold up to 100 diners.

Mr Burgess said: “I am ecstatic to finally see it come together, I’m really looking forward to welcoming people in.

“Building work finished about four weeks ago. We’ve had some hold-ups, but all the equipment has now been delivered and we’re ready to go.

“We’ve had people wanting to book tables for months. It’s been mental on that front, so it looks like we will be well-received – which we’re pleased about.”

Mr Burgess and his team of around 20 new staff had a dry run on Saturday, with some invited guests and passing trade, and are set to open the doors to the public on Wednesday.

While his Southend venue is known for its earthy feel, Mr Burgess has tried to create a different feel with his new venture.

He added: “People might see some of the Louis XIV still there. But we’ve gone for quite an industrial look, a bit more like a factory, so something different to Southend.

“We’ve taken on more staff in Southend and with the new team in Leigh I’ve got so many staff, I can’t remember all their names, but it’s exciting.

“I won’t have my eye on anywhere else for a little while. I want to concentrate on these two places. But maybe there will be a third Henry Burgers in future.” Richard Herbert, chairman of Leigh Town Council, said: “We welcome all new businesses to the town and I hope they will be very successful.

“Anything that attracts people to Leigh is good and I look forward to trying one of their burgers.’’