NANDO’S could be opening another restaurant in Basildon.

The chicken chain is proposing to take over a unit occupied by Pizza Hut at the Mayflower Retail Park off the A127.

Should Basildon Council approve the plans, it would be the third Nandos to come to Basildon The Eastgate centre and Festival Leisure Park both have branches of the popular restaurant.

Other outlets at Mayflower include McDonalds, KFC and Costa Coffee as well as a 24 hour Tesco store and several high street chains including Marks and Spencer, Boots and Next.

David Sheppard, councillor for Fryerns, has welcomed Nando’s application and sees it as beneficial to Basildon’s economy.

He said: “I can’t see any problems with Nandos coming to Mayflower.

“I know there are other places to eat out there and on the retail park.

“At the end of the day, it’s about getting people to come to Basildon. People are more likely to go to Mayflower or Festival Leisure after work, as they’re both open until later than the centre.

“It will also be important for employment and ensure the units are being used. It makes sense.”

Nando’s wants to extend the existing Pizza Hut restaurant and redecorate the inside and outside of the building to fit in with their brand.

The proposals add to plans already lined up for a revamp the Festival Leisure Park.

American-themed restaurant chain Coast to Coast and Bella Italia have announced they will be taking over former nightclubs, Liquid, Envy, New York New York, and JJ’s.