A LUXURY waterfront restaurant which is set to bring 60 new jobs to Chelmsford is on track to open at the end of summer.

Plans to refurbish and transform the old Waterside restaurant, in Wharf Road, have moved a step closer to fruition.

Mica Pearson-Davies, owner of Mica Signature Restaurants, is hoping a 280-seater eatery and wine bar will serve as a “new and exciting” experience for diners.

The site has remained vacant since the former restaurant closed its doors in 2011.

Mr Pearson-Davies says issues with construction are the reason for the current delay, but says the plans are back on track, with a grand opening expected at the end of summer.

“What we are moving towards is making this the first place in Chelmsford with three AA rosettes.

“I have high standards and ambition and want to offer a great wine bar – something that hasn’t really been done in Essex yet.”

Wines will reportedly be sourced from both Hallgarten & Novum – one of the world’s leading wine merchants, and Colchester-based specialists Mr Wheeler Wine.

Mr Pearson-Davies added: “We have been working on these plans for a while, it is very much my intention to look at a further five or six restaurants in Essex.

“This is a quality-driven restaurant, which is why we will be looking to hire about 60 staff.”

Mr Pearson-Davies is looking to generate no waste, utilising equipment which turns all of the restaurant’s food waste into compost and glass waste into sand.