THREE new restaurants in the heart of Southend will create 110 new jobs and cater for almost 400 diners.

Seaway Leisure has announced it has signed up Kervan Kitchen to serve dishes with a Turkish flavour, Burger Amour which specialises in made to order burgers and DOUGH&co for freshly cooked woodfired pizzas.

Kervan Kitchen is taking on a 5,000sq ft unit on the planned £50million Seaway leisure complex on the car park off Lucy Road, which will seat 180 customers.

While Burger Amour and its sister company DOUGH&co will occupy two units totalling 6,000sq ft catering for 200 diners.

The scheme includes an 11-screen Empire Cinema complex with IMAX, a 20-lane Hollywood Bowl, an 80-room Travelodge hotel and 555 public car parking spaces and a new public square.

Echo: Burger Amour is one of the restaurantsBurger Amour is one of the restaurants

Southend Council last week announced a plan to invest £10mion into the scheme which was struggling to attract investors.

The three new businesses will contribute to the viability and the scheme which is expected to contribute over £15m every year to Southend’s town centre economy.

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Tim Deacon, Director of Turnstone Estates, said: “These trio of signings will provide a boost to Southend’s town centre economy, helping us to create more than 500 jobs through the Seaway development.

"I really look forward to seeing the opening of Kervan Kitchen, Burger Amour and DOUGH&co, along with the other leisure experiences, that will revitalise the town centre and build a better Southend.

Echo: Dough & Co is joining the Seaway developmentDough & Co is joining the Seaway development

“The three restaurants are a real compliment to the tenant line up of the already committed Hollywood Bowl, Empire Cinemas and Travelodge”.

Maggie Themistocli and Savas First, owners of Kervan Kitchen, said: “With already three locations in Essex now established, we are excited to take Kervan Kitchen to the next level in Southend. Visitors can expect a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere with a luxe and modern dining experience.”

Chris Sharman, owner of Burger Amor and DOUGH&co, added: “We have a number of locations already well established in East Anglia and look forward to serving our fresh and tasty offer to the residents and visitors to Southend.

“Not only do we have enticing menus, our restaurants will be striking as our wall panelling and tables are all made from recycled pallets.”