EXCITEMENT is building in Southend as top restaurant chain Wagamama puts the finishing touches to its new venue in the city.

Bosses have announced the restaurant, based in the former Bella Italia site in London Road, will open on August 15.

More than 20 roles are being advertised online, including head chef, assistant general manager, front of house manager and others.

The announcement from Wagamama comes as major burger chain, Five Guys, opens its new restaurant at the Festival Leisure Park in Basildon today.

Wagamama is also set to be joined by chicken chain, Dynamite Wings, and American-style burger restaurant, 12th Street Burgers, in the centre of Southend.

New signs have gone up for the two eateries, which will be based in the same building on the junction of the High Street and Clifftown Road, But it’s the arrival of Wagamama - the first in Southend - that is causing the most excitement in the city.

Westcliff resident Adam Ball, 47, of Shakespeare Drive said: “I want to try it out as I’ve seen the restaurant in a few places but haven’t eaten there yet.

“It’s good to see Southend is attracting big businesses and names like this into the city centre.

“I think it will be quite popular and it will be a bit of competition.”

“It will add to the healthy competition of businesses in this area which I think is a good thing.

“It’s also good to see new jobs being created and this will help unemployment which is an important issue.”

Mandy O’Connor, Labour councillor for Victoria, also welcomed the update as excitement builds for the official opening.

She added: “My son will love this and I look forward to taking him there.

“I think it will be a big hit in Southend, when I go past other restaurants such as the one in Lakeside, it’s always busy so I think our one will be popular too.

“It’s good to have one on our doorstep and I think it’s going to be a really good thing for Southend.

“I also think it will help in people and trade from outside of the area. I think it’s nice to have something different and give people a bit of choice.”