Billericay High Street takeaway in former Wimpy transformed

Golden Dragon, in Billericay High Street has been owned by Wendy Jennings since she took over the former fast food spot following its closure in 2021.

The building has operated as a takeaway only business for the last two years but a revamp has now been completed an it opens as a full restaurant and bar today.

New - The freshly stocked bar at the Golden Dragon (Image: Golden Dragon)

Wendy said: “The building used to be a Wimpy which I took over in December 2022, the plan then was for us to have a restaurant there that could serve alcohol.

“When we first opened in 2022, it was to run as a takeaway, it has been quite good running from there, but customers have asked us for a bar and seating, and we are trying to meet that when we open today.”

Wimpy closed in 2021 after 30 years in the High Street after being run by husband and wife duo Kash and Navjot Bhangal, who retired after the restaurant suffered a decline post pandemic.

Sleek - The new interior (Image: Golden Dragon)

The couple’s son Joe ran a Miss Millies Chicken Takeaway briefly in the same spot before Wendy took over in 2022.

Wendy added that: “It is exciting to do this on Billericay High Street, we are really excited to be able to run as a restaurant and we have a range of alcohols, including wines and beers and soft drinks.

“We sell all kinds of alcoholic drinks now.”

Wendy noted that being based on the High Street allows them a bigger customer base, which is why they ultimately made the move to open as a full restaurant.

Bar - The golden dragon (Image: Golden Dragon)

The restaurant serves Thai style dishes, Chow Mein, beef dishes, curries and egg foo yung fried egg as well as offering spirits, such as gin, malibu and vodka alongside beers such as Tsingtao.

The new restaurant will be open from Tuesday to Sunday and joins a number of celebrated restaurants on the High Street, including the Giggling Squid and the Layalina Lebanese restaurant.