A BUSINESS-MINDED couple are looking towards a bright future following the launch of brand new Italian restaurant in Great Dunmow. John Juniper and his wife Caroline have opened the stunning Bel Piatto restaurant on New Street after renovating and moderni

A BUSINESS-MINDED couple are looking towards a bright future following the launch of brand new Italian restaurant in Great Dunmow.

John Juniper and his wife Caroline have opened the stunning Bel Piatto restaurant on New Street after renovating and modernising during one very intensive month.

John said: "We have really pressed the fast forward button on this project and we are pleased with the results. It hasn't been easy though - at times I think we have had around 25 people working inside and outside the restaurant."

John and Caroline, who both live in the town, have had to balance the new venture with many other commitments, including a hair and beauty salon, a pub in Tottenham and two young children.

But after seeing the restaurant on the market, and a month of hard work, they feel like they have turned around the fortunes of the premises, previously called Illuma.

John added: "We saw it on the market and just thought 'let's go for it'. We have made lots of changes and we hope to introduce an Italian take-away service in the New Year."

New fittings at the eatery include tables and chairs, a new bar, flooring and wall decorations as well as an outside facelift, complete with Italian-style lighting.

The owners said they hoped to create a new "upmarket place to eat" whilst also providing a change from the areas' many Indian and Chinese restaurants.

John said: "We had a look around and I don't think there is an Italian within 10 miles of here, so it seemed to make sense to have one. We are hoping for a really bright future and that our customers keep coming back for more.

"Currently we are almost fully booked right up until Christmas. We have been very popular so far."

Once the Christmas rush is over the restaurant is also set to introduce midweek wine tasting sessions to excite the pallets of Dunmow residents.

Opening times are lunch: 12 until 2.30pm and dinner: 5.30pm until 10pm (11pm at weekends).

Roast dinners on a Sunday, the rest of the week is traditional Italian, including pizzas and pastas.

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