Wendy's and Costa Coffee for Basildon Festival Leisure

World-renowned hamburger restaurant chain Wendy’s has had plans approved by Basildon Council to open a new drive-thru on the current car park at the leisure park.

As part of the plans, a Costa Coffee drive-thru will also open as part of major plans to improve Festival Leisure Park – which already boasts Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, Nando’s and much more.

Basildon was previously home to a Wendy’s in the 1980s in the Eastgate Shopping Centre, while plans have also been submitted for the chain to open in Southend High Street.

Wendy’s is the world’s third largest hamburger chain and despite the loss of car parking space at Festival Leisure Park, it has been hailed as brilliant news.

It comes as a welcome boost just weeks after the closure of long-standing nightclub Unit 7 at the leisure park.

Craig Rimmer, Conservative councillor responsible for economic stimulus and tourism, said: “It is good news.

“We have got two types of offering in Basildon, out of town and the town centre. The town centre is starting to come back again with what we are doing with regeneration, which is great.

“But it is also good to see the out-of-town thriving. People from across the borough drive to Festival Leisure and it is a different offering.

“Both are really big names, and we really welcome them both to Basildon.

“Even though it will result in the loss of some parking space, I think there is more than enough parking at Festival Leisure.”

A total of 98 parking spaces would be lost as part of the plans.

The plans stated: “The application proposals represent an opportunity for an isolated and under-used area of Festival Leisure Park to be brought into positive use, enhancing the leisure offer and experience for a wider range of people, over a longer day, and with additional choice.”

Last year Basildon Festival Leisure, which welcomes more than £3.2 million visitors a year, celebrated its 25th birthday.