It is five years ago this week when it was revealed a Turkish restaurant with a big reputation was moving to east London.

A popular kebab chain, rated the second best place to eat in London behind a Gordon Ramsay restaurant, is replacing bust retail giant BHS in Walthamstow.

Gökyüzü has agreed to move into the unit previously occupied by the department store at The Mall, in Selborne Road, on a 15-year lease.

The new restaurant will be the Turkish joint’s third in London, after it has enjoyed success at locations in Chingford and Green Lanes in Harringey.

Gökyüzü is owned and run by the Yavuz family and was established in 1999 by Hasan Yavuz.

It was recently ranked by one critic as the second best London restaurant, after TV chef Gordon Ramsay’s Michelin star-rated Petrus in Belgravia.

The Mall, owned by Capital & Regional, has also signed up stationary chain Smiggle to take on part of the giant 25,000 square-foot unit left empty when BHS went bust.

The shopping centre had previously agreed deals with Lidl and The Gym Group to move into sections of the former BHS store.

Sian Bowen, Asset Manager at Capital & Regional, said: “Gökyüzü and Smiggle will further develop our tenant mix for our loyal customers and adds to our transformational plans for a destination rapidly emerging as one of London's most vibrant neighbourhoods.

“We are delighted to welcome both to the town centre.”

BHS closed the last of its 150 branches in 2016, 88 years after the business was launched on the high street.

It initially collapsed in April last year, affecting 11,000 jobs, 22,000 pensions and sparking a lengthy parliamentary inquiry.

Retail billionaire Sir Philip Green bore the brunt of the public fallout, having been branded the "unacceptable face of capitalism" by furious MPs.

Sir Philip owned BHS for 15 years before selling it to serial bankrupt Dominic Chappell for £1 in 2015.