Work is underway to transform a former Pizza Hut into a new tapas restaurant bringing Spain to the area.

La Siesta is expected to open at 57 High Road, Bushey Heath, which is currently completely empty of fixtures and fittings, in around two months.

Once everything is ready, the new venture from Arulshandh Balendran and his partner Maria Martinez will specialise in paella and tapas dishes.

Restaurant co-owner Maria Martinez is from Spain.Restaurant co-owner Maria Martinez is from Spain. (Image: La Siesta)

Arulshandh said: “We found the location because we knew the landlord and we saw there is no Spanish restaurant around here, but many people in the area go away to Spain.

“We prefer to bring Spain to the local people.”

Maria, who is Spanish, is designing the menu and selecting the wine as La Siesta aims to set itself apart by offering the authentic experience, with ingredients, wines, and beers coming directly from Iberia.

The empty restaurant unit.The empty restaurant unit. (Image: La Siesta)

La Siesta will be the second restaurant for Arulshandh, who has run Tapelia in Ealing for around seven years.

The chef said the couple are aiming to bring the same level of specificity that customers love at his London restaurant to Bushey Heath.

An opening date will be confirmed once La Siesta is closer to being ready, as it will depend on progress preparing the unit.

Arulshandh Balendran.Arulshandh Balendran. (Image: La Siesta)

The restaurant unit at 57 High Road.The restaurant unit at 57 High Road. (Image: Google Street View)