A NEW restaurant has opened in the heart of the town centre.

Pollys Pie and Mash was officially opened by Witham MP Priti Patel in a special ribbon cutting ceremony.

The shop, which is in the Newlands Shopping Centre provides a traditional pie, mash and liquor menu with an eat-in, takeaway and delivery service.

Owner Lucy Nice said the team have been helped by grant schemes from the Government.

She added: "It was a pleasure to meet Priti and to talk to her about our journey to opening the restaurant in Witham.

"Expanding a business at any time is difficult but doing so during a pandemic has been very stressful.

"We have been helped considerably by the support given to us by the grant schemes and I would like to thank the Government for providing this financial support, when it was most needed.”

Priti Patel praised the restaurant for opening during such a difficult time for the hospitality sector.

Ms Patel said: "I am always delighted to see a new business starting up in Witham and particularly so in the hospitality sector, which has had such a hard time during the pandemic.

"I wish Pollys Pie & Mash every success and I shall certainly be following its progress with great interest.

"I hope that residents will rally round and give this new enterprise the support it needs."