THE owners of a new Turkish restaurant are hoping to open their doors to the public in six weeks after transforming a car dealership.

Work is taking place at a rapid rate to replace the former Longmans Motors car dealership into a new restaurant, in East Mayne, with capacity for a hundred customers at once.

The new restaurant is set to be called “The Eyna” and bosses are hoping that they will open on November 1, as long as building work stays on track.

The former car dealership has now moved and re-opened in Long Riding.

Restaurant owner, Abdullah Tekagac, is excited to open his doors to the public.

He said: “We are really excited.

“We are opening on November 1, and will be serving food such as Turkish Kebab, all Turkish food, and several pasta dishes.

“We already have a restaurant in central London, but we feel Basildon is worthy of a big Turkish restaurant too.

“We are very excited.”

The new restaurant will be open from noon to “late”, every day.

According to the initial planning application – which was approved by Basildon Council – there will be capacity to seat 108 people on the ground floor.

Plans also stated that 15 full time and ten part time staff will be employed on the site.

Photos show that work is well underway to transform the former showroom with the structure of the new restaurant already up.

Stuart Terson, Conservative councillor responsible for Pitsea North West, welcomed the progress and was looking forward to the businesses opening.

He said: “I am pleased to see the restaurant site is coming on well.

“I look forward to seeing it open in November.

“I am always happy to see new businesses having confidence to open up in Basildon.

“I wish them the best of luck on this new restaurant, and I hope they are very successful.”

Pre-owned care dealership Longmans Motors, established in 1952, continues to be operated from its new showroom in Long Riding, Basildon.