LONG-awaited plans for a new Canadian fast-food restaurant in Basildon appear to have stalled with seven months passing since bosses issued an update.

Exciting plans for Tim Hortons to open in Miles Gray Road were announced in 2023 and bosses promised the business would open to customers in Autumn last year.

An update in November hinted at a delayed opening in the “new year” but the Echo’s repeated attempts for comment have gone unanswered for months on end.

The site remains shut off and surrounding by metal railings. No Tim Hortons branding has been put put in place and the inside of the restaurant remains empty.

Basildon resident, Michelle Fuller, said: “We are really disappointed.

“My brother lives in Canada, so we are very fond of Tim Hortons.

“We were looking forward to having a Canadian eatery in Basildon.

“I would imagine they have pulled out as there are a few competitors local to the site.”

The Basildon chain would be the fourth in Essex with Tim Hortons already open at Lakeside, in Braintree and in Harlow.

According to the council in November 2023, phase one of the construction for the exterior and forecourt has been completed, and the six-week phase two work to fit out the interior was scheduled for the new year.

Labour Fryerns councillor, Allan Davies, said: “It would be very good for the economy, and it would help provide jobs for the area if they carried on with the plans.

“I hope it does continue, enough time has passed with the application now and we need it to move really, it does need to be pushed on.

“I hope that the plans progress because it will contribute to the area.”

In addition to sugary doughnuts, the Canadian fast-food chain offers mouth-watering burgers, chewy pancakes drizzled with maple syrup, and hot and cold beverages.

When the Echo last received a comment from the chain, six months ago, a spokesman said: “We don’t have an update as of yet, but we’ll be sure to share any news that comes through.”