Hungry guests who visit Festival Leisure Park can now grab a bite to eat in their new outdoor dining space.
Picnic tables with parasols have been installed on the newly extended piazza area, which spans the front entrance to the atrium, with the hopes of creating an al-fresco experience for all diners to enjoy.
The tables are free for customers to use while enjoying some fresh air after collecting their order from their favourite restaurant at the park.
And with lockdown slowly being lifted, restaurants across Festival Leisure have begun opening up over the past few weeks, some offering a dine-in option and many operating a click and collect or takeaway service.
This includes:
- Sprinkles – open for dine in and click & collect
- Pizza Hut – dine-in and takeaway available
- McDonalds – drive thru, open for takeaway and dine in
- Nando’s – click & collect
- Wagamama – click & collect and dine in from August 3
- Frankie & Benny’s - click & collect from July 27 and dine in from July 29
- Firejacks - click & collect from July 27 and dine in from July 29
- Pizza Express – open for dine in
- Toby Carvery – open for dine in and takeaway
Read more:
- Mental health charity has beloved garden ruined in 'arson attack'
- First Covid-19 deaths in six days recorded at Southend Hospital
Matthew Chambers, centre manager at Festival Leisure Park, said: “The summer is upon us and we wanted to provide a fun al-fresco dining experience for our customers, who have been so incredibly supportive of all our restaurants over the past few months.
"Many of our restaurants are offering click and collect but now 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.”
Indoor golf adventure Mr Mulligans Basildon is now open and operating with social distancing procedures in place - bookings can be made online by heading to their website.
Cineworld have also announced plans to open on Friday July 31 and Hollywood Bowl will open their doors the following day, Saturday August 1.
Mr Chambers added: “We are thrilled that our venues and restaurants have been able to open up for the summer holidays, 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.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here