A LOVED Turkish restaurant is set to open its latest branch in the heart of Basildon, much to the delight of residents.

Kervan Kitchen, which currently has branches in Brentwood and Romford, will soon open the doors to its Basildon branch which will be situated in the Festival Leisure Park.

Work is currently underway inside the former Moza Indian Buffet and Restaurant location, which closed in 2017.

The move has been welcomed by residents and council bosses as they hope it will encourage more businesses to have faith in the future of the town.

Mike Barrett, 66, from Basildon said: “I think it’s fantastic that a business feels like it can open in Basildon, especially a restaurant, in these circumstances.

“It’s good to see a new restaurant opening in the area wherever it is. I wish them success and I hope it works out well for them.”

Festival Leisure Park confirmed the restaurant will be opening from the week starting July 5.

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David Barnes, chair of the Basildon business group, said: “We’re always keen to hear from business that are moving to the area.

“Hospitality and leisure has been hit so, so hard through lockdown so it’s great to see they’re now making a recovery.

“Our call is still for the government to do more.

“But it’s really, really good to see new businesses moving to the area and that people are looking at things with an optimistic approach.”

Leader of the council, Andrew Baggott, has welcomed the news.

He said: “We want Basildon to become a place not just for shopping but for people to have a bite to eat and spend a day or evening.”

Matt Chambers, centre manager at Festival Leisure Park, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be welcoming the popular Kervan Kitchen here to Festival Leisure Park, seeing the Mediterranean and Turkish restaurant specialise in traditional Turkish food, cooked over a hot charcoal on a mangal grill.

“Kervan Kitchen is another fantastic addition here to Festival Leisure Park and it’s great to see an independent business open their doors during what’s been a difficult time for many.”