A RESTAURANT broug-ht back from the dead by a savvy businessman will be a new setting for hit television show the Only Way is Essex.

Grand Central in Basildon has come full circle since the company previously running it under the name Outback Steakhouse closed last September.

Chelmsford businessman Steve Haslam took on the challenge of turning the restaurant around, and has had such success producers have chosen it to film scenes for the Essex-based reality show.

Mr Haslam, 47, said: “To go from a former operator that closed down, to us taking a gamble by buying it, to now being on national television is phenomenal.

“You couldn’t write the book!

“For us it’s brilliant, as we’re now considered good enough to be in a hugely popular television programme.”

The restaurant’s remarkable journey has seen it undergo extensive refurbishment and create 43 jobs – some of which went to the staff made redundant when Outback Steakhouse closed.

Since opening last November, Grand Central, in Miles Gray Road, has become increasingly popular.

Mr Haslam also owns five pubs as part of his TLC Inns brand. One of them – the White Horse at Ramsden Heath, near Billericay – has already been used by ITV2 to film a Towie roast dinner scene. It starred Mario Falcone, Ricky Rayment and Little Chris.

Mr Haslam said: “It’s great ITV2 is picking independent venues. The channel contacted us about six weeks ago saying it wanted to bring its filming more into the heart of Essex, as a lot of the programme is filmed in the Chigwell and Romford areas.

“Bosses knew we had two venues in Essex, took a look at both and liked them, so we signed a contract.

“The national exposure is great for the business because the show has such a big following.”

Mr Haslam cannot reveal when filming will take place at his venues, but a scene at Grand Central is coming up. The cast is also expected to return to the White Horse soon.