THE owner of a popular restaurant returning to a Colchester village to take over a defunct pub has said the team is “excited” to reopen.

The Bengal Diner, in Fox Street, Ardleigh, closed its doors to customers in February last year.

The beloved grill and tandoori restaurant said it had been “unable to negotiate a suitable lease at their existing premises”, leaving many residents disappointed.

Gazette: Closed - the old Bengal Diner site in Fox StreetClosed - the old Bengal Diner site in Fox Street (Image: Google)

Following this, the business merged with the much-loved Colchester Spice, in Barrack Street, combining their services and carrying over some customer favourites.

Following the merge, the business apologised for the inconvenience of the closure and dropped the name.

However, earlier this year, it was revealed the business was returning to Ardleigh and would help restore an old pub in the process.

The Bengal Diner team will now be taking over The Lion pub in The Street, which closed during the pandemic four years ago.

Gazette: New life - The Lion pub in The Street, ArdleighNew life - The Lion pub in The Street, Ardleigh (Image: Google)

They merged the two names to create The Lion of Bengal.

The restaurant has been posting teaser posts on its Facebook page, saying staff have been “very busy getting things ready”, including working on the kitchen and other interior decorating.

Now, the business has revealed its opening date, which will be next month, on Thursday, April 11, at 5pm.

Speaking to the Gazette, owner Syful Alam said: “We are very much looking forward to reopening.

“We are already taking bookings and it is proving popular, thank you to everyone for their support.

“Lots of hard work has already gone into getting it ready after the pub was shut for four years.”

Mr Alam also teased the new site will focus on “high class” dining.

He said: “We are normally just a collection for takeaway, but we wanted to give a properly good service.

“We have great staff and a world-class chef with 42 years of experience.

“I want to be one of the top restaurants in Essex and always wanted this kind of venture.”

To book a table, call Mr Alam on 07950 109972 or message the Lion of Bengal Facebook page.