A £2 MILLION refurbishment has started at a McDonald’s restaurant.

The full revamp means the branch at Tollgate, Stanway, will be closed for eight weeks while a raft of work gets underway.

But when it re-opens it will create an extra 50 jobs.

The work will include extending the front of the restaurant to double the number of seats to 160.

A new kitchen will also be installed at the site, which per day, on average, carries out 2,300 transactions and feeds 4,000 people.

After the revamp, table service will be available for restaurant diners for the first time.

A second drive-thru order point will be added, which will speed up the takeaway service.

There will also be touch screen self-order kiosks in the dining area.

Franchisee Craig Newnes said: “The design is outstanding and I know my valued customers are going to love it.

“I’ve also incorporated in the plans, new staff facilities and the staff room will be double its size, ensuring great facilities for everyone.

“When we re-open in October I’m sure my valued customers are going to love the new look restaurant.”

The restaurant will eventually offer a delivery service for customers who download an app.

This new “McDeliveries” service also launches on Thursday from the McDonald’s sites in Cowdray Avenue and High Street, Colchester.

Mr Newnes, who bought the Tollgate branch in 2013, added: “As a Colchester ambassador I’m so proud of my staff and managers and the future looks great for us all at McDonald’s.”

The branch, currently employing 160 people, is set to be re-opened on October 30 by Witham MP Priti Patel.

It opened in 2008 and was twice the size it is now, but was reduced to make space for the neighbouring Boots store.

This extension is the first revamp it has had since it opened.

Nr Newnes said: “I have waited five years for this and it means we are going to be a mega, state-of-the-art restaurant.”

Staff who work at the Tollgate branch have been redeployed to other McDonald’s while the work takes place.

Last year, the Cowdray Avenue McDonald’s underwent a similar £2 million revamp and it now also offers table service. Other changes there included extra seats, a children’s play area and self service kiosks and 50 new jobs were created.

Mr Newnes owns seven McDonald’s restaurants including four in Colchester. Others are in Clacton, Weeley and Sudbury.

In total 900 staff work across the nine branches.