AL fresco dining will be offer for visitors to Basildon's Festival Leisure Park from Monday.

The park is preparing to welcome back visitors next week, with some big name eateries set to open outside spaces.

There will also be space available for diners to enjoy takeaway food in the central AlFresco space.

Picnic tables with parasols have been set up on the piazza, which spans the front entrance to the atrium.

The tables are free for customers to use after collection their order from the nearby restaurants.

Centre manager Matthew Chambers said: “The return of Festival AlFresco is such a welcome sight for all of us.

"Last summer the picnic tables proved so popular with customers and enabled them to enjoy their time here at Festival.

"The outdoor dining space we have created is back for the whole summer.

"Our customers have been so incredibly supportive over the past year throughout the various restrictions, and we wanted to provide space for them to enjoy every aspect of Festival just as soon as they can.

"Many of our restaurants have been offering click and collect through the latest lockdown, but from Monday you can stay and eat at the park in an open, welcoming environment, rather than having to wait to eat until you’ve driven home.

"The tables are regularly cleared and cleaned, and are spaced to ensure social distancing guidelines are followed.”

This is how the restaurants at the leisure park will operate from Monday:

  • Sprinkles – click & collect / delivery options.
  • Pizza Hut – click & collect / delivery options.
  • McDonalds – drive thru and open for takeaway / delivery options.
  • Nando’s – click & collect plus outdoor seating / delivery options.
  • Wagamama – click & collect plus outdoor seating / delivery options.
  • Frankie & Benny’s – click & collect / delivery options / outdoor seating.
  • Pizza Express – click & collect plus outdoor seating / delivery options.

Better Gym also reopens on Monday for individual training sessions, with group classes resuming on May 17.

Read more:

Cineworld, Hollywood Bowl, 360 Play and indoor golf adventure Mr. Mulligans, will remain closed until May 17 in line with government restrictions.

Mr Chambers added: “We are thrilled that our venues and restaurants are able to open up over the coming weeks, and we can’t wait to welcome all our customers to enjoy time here at Festival Leisure, including dining al fresco at our new outdoor space.”

Updates for opening hours of venues and restaurants at Festival Leisure Park will be posted on the centre website and social media pages.

For more information, click here.