FOUR years after putting their American diner up for sale, its owners have now committed to an ambitious expansion project.

The owners of Canvey seafront business Jimmy Macs have lodged a planning application to increase its outdoor space by 1,308 square metres, build a children’s play area and a new internal bar.

The plans, which have been submitted to Castle Point Council, come four years after the restaurant was put up for sale for £230,000.

Owners Derek and Suzanne Gray are committing to the site, and hope the new plans will boost trade and protect the business from any potential future Covid restrictions.

A spokesman for Jimmy Macs said: “As you will be aware, restaurant facilities like this have been hit very hard over the past 18 months due to Covid restrictions.

“Following the relative success of the outdoor seating area at Jimmy Macs during this period, especially throughout the Covid period with outdoor seating encouraged by the Government, we intend to develop and extend the paved area to west of the building to provide increased outdoor seating facilities for the business and the local community.”

The spokesman added: “The children’s play area provides access to the general public during the daytime to provide additional leisure and entertainment facilities to this area of Canvey Island.”

Mr and Mrs Gray have also recently invested in their other businesses.

In June of last year, the pair invested £100,000 in improvements at Fantasy Island fun park, installing a new 18-hole mini golf course, a 20-seat carousel ride, and a go kart track.

The Gray family also own The Monico in Eastern Esplanade.

In April of 2018 they had signalled they intended to sell all three businesses and to move on from the seafront, but have instead chosen to invest in improving them.

Plans at Jimmy Macs will see the restaurant’s outdoor seating areas be extended into the grass area to the rear of the building.

A new bar and servery counter will be installed to allow staff to serve outdoors customers.

New toilet facilities will also be added to handle the increased capacity.