BOSSES at Five Guys have revealed the new Basildon restaurant will open in just a matter of weeks, creating 40 jobs for the borough.

The American-style diner chain is set to open at Festival Leisure Park next month, replacing the former Villagio restaurant.

A refurbishment has been taking place for weeks with a number of workers on site inside the now-vacant restaurant.

The restaurant will be the first Five Guys to open in Basildon, with the only other south Essex site being at Lakeside Shopping Centre.

Councillors and families say it will be a huge hit in the community.

Grandmother Pat Rackley, 72, from Laindon said: “I anything like this that brings more jobs and business to the borough is a good thing I think, “It has to be excellent news for the borough and I can see it being incredibly popular with families.

“My granddaughter loves it and is excited about the new restaurant opening here. I think it’s come at a good time with new jobs in the current climate and it’s very much needed.

“The leisure park has just been going from strength to strength and it’s a really nice place to be with the outdoor seating area.

“It will be open for the summer and families will enjoy having a nice burger in the sunshine.”

New jobs at Five Guys are being advertised online and a LinkedIn page for the restaurant at the leisure park has been set up.

Five Guys restaurants have opened at Lakeside Shopping Centre and in Chelmsford in recent years.

Kerry Smith, Independent councillor for Nethermayne, said: “I think it’s all very positive, but it just beg the question about why we are not seeing investment like this in the town centre.

“I think Basildon families will be pleased about this and it’s good to see big firms like this investing in Basildon but I am not surprised.”

A spokesman for Five Guys said it is due to open in July and it will create 40 new jobs but the firm was unable to give a specific date despite being pushed by the Echo.

Festival Leisure Park was contacted for comment.