First look at German Doner Kebab in Colchester High Street

German Doner Kebab, which opened its first restaurant in Berlin in 1989, has revamped an empty unit in High Street to create the new eatery, which has space for about 70 diners at once.

The refit cost in excess of £400,000 and has seen 35 staff so far recruited, with plans to expand this number to 40.

First look at German Doner Kebab in Colchester High Street

Gavin Sahota is the franchisee behind the new premises, which is his sixth German Doner Kebab in the UK.

The 30-year-old Ipswich resident said: "We opened on Wednesday last week and since we opened the doors it has been consistently busy.

"We haven't opened for delivery at the moment we are just doing dine-in, takeaway and click and collect and business is going well."

First look at German Doner Kebab in Colchester High Street

The restaurant will be open 11am to 11pm seven days a week initially, with hopes this could extend on the weekend.

Although Friday and Saturday night revellers are some of the firm's most obvious customers, the restaurant is also a family-friendly environment with menu choices for all ages.

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Mr Sahota said: "We have a different selection of items as well such as healthier options like a gym box, which is meat and salad.

"We offer the Doner Krunch burger which is great for young people and we have a Tango Ice Blast machine which is also very popular.

"We try and cater for every single demographic which is why we are a bit different.

"Everything here is fresh. The meat is cooked fresh to order and the salad are made fresh each morning.

"Our three signature sauces, garlic, spicy and yoghurt, are made here fresh too.

"The food is quite clean. You can eat it on your lunch break wearing a shirt and tie and not make a mess. Some other kebab places the food isn't like that."

First look at German Doner Kebab in Colchester High Street

The Colchester restaurant is the 65th German Doner Kebab, or GDK's 65th in Britain and part of a huge expansion programme from the firm.

Almost one a week, or 47 in total, will be opened across the country this year.

Once fully up and running the Colchester restaurant will offer deliveries via services like Just Eat and also has touch screen ordering kiosks for those in a rush.

Mr Sahota said: "We try to be an environment where you can come with your family but obviously on a Saturday night we will be busy.

"We are hoping to extend our opening hours at the weekend and we have submitted a licence application which we are waiting for a decision on."

First look at German Doner Kebab in Colchester High Street

For more details visit www.germandonerkebab.com.