Albert Square came to Marlborough last night as EastEnders’ Declan Bennett launched the new bistro that sees popular local restaurateur Lesley Powell’s return to fine dining.

Lesley, famed about town for the acclaimed dishes she created at the now-closed Godots in Kingsbury Street, is opening Franklyn’s, just across the street from her old place.

“It’s a lot classier than the Queen Vic”, quipped Declan, who played Charlie Cotton in the BBC soap opera.

Franklyn’s promises top end cuisine as Lesley applies her cordon bleu skills to predominantly-French style meals when the bistro opens on Wednesday December 8, with the menu entirely composed of cooked-from-fresh specials, rather than a la carte.

And she won praise from Declan, an old family friend, for launching a new restaurant when the pandemic has closed so many hospitality businesses.

“After the past 18 months that we’ve all gone through it takes talent and bravery to go back into the restaurant business, but Lesley has that in abundance,” said Declan.

“Only the truly great cooks come out of hard times with success and Lesley surely will. Her food is absolutely outstanding.”