A NEW fast food restaurant and drive-through will open in Rochford next month.

Work is well underway at the KFC drive-through, at Rochford Business Park, off Cherry Orchard Way, which is creating more than 20 jobs locally

The restaurant will be open by mid February

The national chain originally applied for permission to open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but now insists the branch will not be open round-the-clock.

Opening Hours will be 10:30am to 23:00 Monday to Saturday and 11:00am to 23:00 Sunday.

Elle Botton, 16, of St Marks Field, Rochford, can’t wait for the drive-through to open.

She said: “I think that the new KFC is a good thing because there is nothing food based on that estate down Cherry Orchard Road and if people are travelling outside of Rochford there are hardly any fast food stops on their journey where they can quickly get a meal.

“Also, I think the food that KFC provides is very good as it has a wide variety of chicken based meals for people to enjoy and provides refreshments as well.

“I think it's good that they are able to provide jobs for younger people as well as older.”

The outlet is in the Rochford Business park, an area that was surrounded with greenery and wildlife but has been built up over the years, particularly with the petrol garage and car show rooms.

Some residents are not happy about this continued development and particularly a drive-through that could make the area even more littered.

Lydia Lacy, 33, of Ashingdon Road, Rochford, said: “I personally don't think it's necessary considering the other KFC isn't that far away. I probably won't visit, but this due to my views on mass produced chicken and welfare issues.

“The land where it is, is already ruined due to the petrol garage and car showrooms there, so I suppose it's not going to make too much difference to the environment.

“I could be good for youngsters for work. I hope the new restaurant will be mindful of rubbish in the area, due to being surrounded by green areas, with lots of wildlife.”

A spokesman for KFC said the restaurant will take part in the Love Essex anti-litter campaign.

"We are pleased with how the store fitting has progressed and hope to be finished by mid February and look forward to welcoming customers to the store.

"Shop fitting is underway inside the store and there is some external work to be done including surfacing the car park which is ongoing."

A recruitment drive for the store has already begun amidst the store opening were claims a subway was also to be opened close to the drive through, but subway will not confirm this.

A spokeswoman for Subway said: “Unfortunately, we are unable to comment on rumoured store openings. We will keep you updated with any relevant progression.

PLANS for the fast food outlet were rejected on the grounds of poor parking provision when they were first submitted to Rochford Council in 2012. The decision was overturned by the Planning Inspectorate the following year.

Matt Softly, Rochford District Councillor for the Rochford ward, fully supports the restaurant, especially with the jobs it will bring.

“I understand that it will be providing up to 40 local jobs, it's also positive that they will be taking part in the Love Essex anti-litter campaign - as this is often an issue with drive-thru restaurants.

“Hopefully its location won't cause any issues for the nearby houses in Lundy Close. I think it will be well used by residents travelling back home, by the business park and by the new housing estate on Hall Road.

“I'm a fan of the 'Zinger Tower Burger', so I'm sure I'll pop in there at some point.”