Leigh seafood restaurant shuts its doors after running into financial troubles (From Echo)
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting ECHONEWS to 80360, or email us »
Leigh seafood restaurant shuts its doors
7:10pm Thursday 7th February 2013 in News
Leigh seafood restaurant shuts its doors after running into financial troubles
A SEAFOOD restaurant in Old Leigh has closed after running into financial difficulties.
Simply Seafood opened in July 2008 after its owners transformed a former cockle shed in the High Street.
The 24-seat restaurant initially did well but is said to have recently failed to negotiate its way through the current economic climate.
No one at the restaurant wished to comment yesterday (wed) but the reason for the closure was confirmed.
Former town councillor Mike Dolby, welcomed the new restaurant when it opened and said he was disappointed to hear of it’s sudden demise.
He said: “This is very sad but looking at the numbers of people walking in Leigh Broadway and other areas recently I can’t say I am surprised.
Comments(45)
InTheKnowOk
says...
7:57pm Thu 7 Feb 13
Carnabackable
says...
8:00pm Thu 7 Feb 13
InTheKnowOk wrote:I hope it is, I'm sick of the rip off Old Leigh prices, just goes to show, that it's better to get on with the job of fishing, without dreaming your the next Jamie Oliver.
Let's hope it's not turned into another Costa .....
Thomo100
says...
8:11pm Thu 7 Feb 13
We went to Leigh on Saturday. Parking is an issue and the on road is free but for only an hour, meaning that by the time we got out of the car, found somewhere to eat, ordered the food, and eat it, we had to rush the process, no time for a drink or coffee and rush back to the car.
We wanted to buy some clothes and food items but couldn't so went to Waitrose with free parking.
Shame but unless councils act businesses will continue to close.
thesouthendone
says...
8:15pm Thu 7 Feb 13
Carnabackable wrote:Yeah your right, why dream at all, lets all go and get lobotomised and sit in costa coffee.
InTheKnowOk wrote:I hope it is, I'm sick of the rip off Old Leigh prices, just goes to show, that it's better to get on with the job of fishing, without dreaming your the next Jamie Oliver.
Let's hope it's not turned into another Costa .....
How dare somebody try and make a dream come true.
Findus may have been putting horse meat in lasagne but it looks like they left the a55 out.
Carnabackable
says...
8:16pm Thu 7 Feb 13
Thomo100 wrote:Please don't blame it on the council, you could have paid to park, you had money for your meal, and wannabe clothes, though I'm surprised you bothered to eat, at Old Leigh, always a stench from the cockles..
Issue is that people are time poor and local councils simply do not care about local business.
We went to Leigh on Saturday. Parking is an issue and the on road is free but for only an hour, meaning that by the time we got out of the car, found somewhere to eat, ordered the food, and eat it, we had to rush the process, no time for a drink or coffee and rush back to the car.
We wanted to buy some clothes and food items but couldn't so went to Waitrose with free parking.
Shame but unless councils act businesses will continue to close.
Carnabackable
says...
8:19pm Thu 7 Feb 13
thesouthendone wrote:Dream come true - Show me, the so called shabby-chic Old Leigh is about to suffer lots of closures, due to it's over, self inflated culinary providence.
Carnabackable wrote:Yeah your right, why dream at all, lets all go and get lobotomised and sit in costa coffee.
InTheKnowOk wrote:I hope it is, I'm sick of the rip off Old Leigh prices, just goes to show, that it's better to get on with the job of fishing, without dreaming your the next Jamie Oliver.
Let's hope it's not turned into another Costa .....
How dare somebody try and make a dream come true.
Findus may have been putting horse meat in lasagne but it looks like they left the a55 out.
Thecountrysgonetopot!
says...
8:31pm Thu 7 Feb 13
Carnabackable
says...
9:27pm Thu 7 Feb 13
ThecountrysgonetopotOh your the one......
! wrote:
Im shocked...i loved this restaurant
DogsMessInLeigh
says...
9:28pm Thu 7 Feb 13
LibbyJ
says...
10:30pm Thu 7 Feb 13
He said: “This is very sad but looking at the numbers of people walking in Leigh Broadway and other areas recently I can’t say I am surprised. "
PARKING would be a good start.
LibbyJ
says...
10:31pm Thu 7 Feb 13
LibbyJ
says...
10:36pm Thu 7 Feb 13
Thomo100 wrote:You put it perfectly. Things must be quiet even in the eateries though. Didn't used to be able to get served and eat and get back to car within the hour.
Issue is that people are time poor and local councils simply do not care about local business.
We went to Leigh on Saturday. Parking is an issue and the on road is free but for only an hour, meaning that by the time we got out of the car, found somewhere to eat, ordered the food, and eat it, we had to rush the process, no time for a drink or coffee and rush back to the car.
We wanted to buy some clothes and food items but couldn't so went to Waitrose with free parking.
Shame but unless councils act businesses will continue to close.
There is so little parking in Leigh that it gets filled quickly. The streets are filled with cars driving round looking for spaces. People walking are not shopping. The shops are close to empty!
The local council thinks the shopkeepers are squirreling away money by the barrel. They are SO wrong.
Alan Jacobs
says...
3:09am Fri 8 Feb 13
Thomo100 wrote:This is absolutely right. Councils cannot see pass their purse strings and how they can take advantage of motorists at every opportunity. They are playing their own large part in helping to kill trade. It's time that all parking meters and yellow lines on commercial high Streets are ripped up and banished.
Issue is that people are time poor and local councils simply do not care about local business.
We went to Leigh on Saturday. Parking is an issue and the on road is free but for only an hour, meaning that by the time we got out of the car, found somewhere to eat, ordered the food, and eat it, we had to rush the process, no time for a drink or coffee and rush back to the car.
We wanted to buy some clothes and food items but couldn't so went to Waitrose with free parking.
Shame but unless councils act businesses will continue to close.
southend_Dave
says...
8:40am Fri 8 Feb 13
Thomo100 wrote:Parking is poor.
Issue is that people are time poor and local councils simply do not care about local business.
We went to Leigh on Saturday. Parking is an issue and the on road is free but for only an hour, meaning that by the time we got out of the car, found somewhere to eat, ordered the food, and eat it, we had to rush the process, no time for a drink or coffee and rush back to the car.
We wanted to buy some clothes and food items but couldn't so went to Waitrose with free parking.
Shame but unless councils act businesses will continue to close.
Apart from the massive car park at the train station.
Shame there isnt any public transport nearby, like a station next to the massive station car park. Oh wait....
Good to blame the council, but Old Leigh is always busy, its not because of lack of access.
sosad 1
says...
9:07am Fri 8 Feb 13
Ivadda Goodhump
says...
10:12am Fri 8 Feb 13
There are already far too many eateries/cafes/resta
urants/winebars etc in the Leigh area for them all to survive in the current economic climate.
The only positive about some of these closing is that it may force the landlords to reduce the rents and thereby allow other retail types to open up. This will give a more varied shopping choice and hopefully attract more shoppers.
InTheKnowOk
says...
10:15am Fri 8 Feb 13
Carnabackable wrote:So you don't think charging nearly 4 quid for a cheese toastie is a rip off? that with a latte was nearly 7 pound at Costa .. Times that by four say, if you were taking the family there for a quick bite, that's a lot in my book,
InTheKnowOk wrote:I hope it is, I'm sick of the rip off Old Leigh prices, just goes to show, that it's better to get on with the job of fishing, without dreaming your the next Jamie Oliver.
Let's hope it's not turned into another Costa .....
Cosmo Spring
says...
1:04pm Fri 8 Feb 13
twopenneth79
says...
2:05pm Fri 8 Feb 13
InTheKnowOk wrote:Not surprised at all - Thought it was over-priced for what it was and the service was appalling. Didn't even get a response when I emailed our poor experience! How not to win customers and influence them...
Carnabackable wrote:So you don't think charging nearly 4 quid for a cheese toastie is a rip off? that with a latte was nearly 7 pound at Costa .. Times that by four say, if you were taking the family there for a quick bite, that's a lot in my book,
InTheKnowOk wrote:I hope it is, I'm sick of the rip off Old Leigh prices, just goes to show, that it's better to get on with the job of fishing, without dreaming your the next Jamie Oliver.
Let's hope it's not turned into another Costa .....
Touch79
says...
2:20pm Fri 8 Feb 13
I always tip a restaurant but it should be optional. To be forced leaves a bad taste before you even get there.
The other reason was that they were closed on Mondays which is normally the best evening for me to go out. I know that's not unusual for restaurants but those that open Sundays and Mondays are almost always the ones that get my custom.
jarvis2
says...
2:36pm Fri 8 Feb 13
RobertFS
says...
2:52pm Fri 8 Feb 13
LibbyJ wrote:the restaurant was ok but the problem is parking charges.
Thomo100 wrote: Issue is that people are time poor and local councils simply do not care about local business. We went to Leigh on Saturday. Parking is an issue and the on road is free but for only an hour, meaning that by the time we got out of the car, found somewhere to eat, ordered the food, and eat it, we had to rush the process, no time for a drink or coffee and rush back to the car. We wanted to buy some clothes and food items but couldn't so went to Waitrose with free parking. Shame but unless councils act businesses will continue to close.You put it perfectly. Things must be quiet even in the eateries though. Didn't used to be able to get served and eat and get back to car within the hour. There is so little parking in Leigh that it gets filled quickly. The streets are filled with cars driving round looking for spaces. People walking are not shopping. The shops are close to empty! The local council thinks the shopkeepers are squirreling away money by the barrel. They are SO wrong.
many businesses would do well if it were not for greedy councils.
southend council has killed the high street through wanting to squeeze as much as they can from people viviting using cars.
which is why so many go to 'out of town' but that not far out, to shop.
they won't learn! whilst i support the council, frankly they are short sighted!
'don't bite the hand that feeds you' comes to mind.
Rochford Rob
says...
4:14pm Fri 8 Feb 13
Wrong product(s)?
Wrong prices?
Every other place that I like to eat at in Leigh are usually banged out solid.
Shrimpers Not Blues
says...
4:39pm Fri 8 Feb 13
southend_Dave wrote:The problem with parking at the station is the long walk,to get to the Cockle Sheds. It must be at least 400 yards. Yes I appreciate that there are those out there that can't walk that far....but come on!!!!
Thomo100 wrote: Issue is that people are time poor and local councils simply do not care about local business. We went to Leigh on Saturday. Parking is an issue and the on road is free but for only an hour, meaning that by the time we got out of the car, found somewhere to eat, ordered the food, and eat it, we had to rush the process, no time for a drink or coffee and rush back to the car. We wanted to buy some clothes and food items but couldn't so went to Waitrose with free parking. Shame but unless councils act businesses will continue to close.Parking is poor. Apart from the massive car park at the train station. Shame there isnt any public transport nearby, like a station next to the massive station car park. Oh wait.... Good to blame the council, but Old Leigh is always busy, its not because of lack of access.
Perhaps theres a business opportunity? Buy a load of golf carts and ferry people back and forth to save their legs!!!
Bernard Fatsack
says...
5:08pm Fri 8 Feb 13
I look forward to the new equestrian burger : Big Muck 2 to 1
Bernard Fatsack
says...
5:10pm Fri 8 Feb 13
sosad 1 wrote:so true !!! theres no fingers in Findus fish fingers you know......
i went there once when i got the bill i said at least dick turpin wore a mask!
Carnabackable
says...
5:58pm Fri 8 Feb 13
Too many wannabe Jamie Olivers, thinking they can match Boat Yard, by turning an old shack into a designer looking eatery.
Time to get back to basics, half a pint of cockles please....
Carnabackable
says...
6:04pm Fri 8 Feb 13
Bernard Fatsack wrote:The Galloping gourmet comes to mind, when ever I read Findus...........Lol
sosad 1 wrote:so true !!! theres no fingers in Findus fish fingers you know......
i went there once when i got the bill i said at least dick turpin wore a mask!
maxell
says...
7:05pm Fri 8 Feb 13
GrumpyofLeigh
says...
7:12pm Fri 8 Feb 13
So why do you want some now?
Carnabackable
says...
7:33pm Fri 8 Feb 13
GrumpyofLeigh wrote:I don't want any, just making a point, regarding the business they should stick to, cockles, not roasted sea bass with a hint of fennel...
Ok Carn but havent you spent all your previous whinges moaning about the smell of cockleshells?
So why do you want some now?
GrumpyofLeigh
says...
7:51pm Fri 8 Feb 13
Letmetryagain
says...
10:00am Sat 9 Feb 13
Carnabackable wrote:Isn't that just the truth.
Put simply, if an eatery is considered good, the financial climate, the parking fees, and other competition, will have little affect, on the profits, unless as mentioned, the service is poor, the menu overpriced, and the whole dining experience, leaves it's customers pondering, as to why they bothered to visit.
Too many wannabe Jamie Olivers, thinking they can match Boat Yard, by turning an old shack into a designer looking eatery.
Time to get back to basics, half a pint of cockles please....
Too many restaurants with "silly names" and ultra expensive "designer cooking".
It might work in London, but not in Leigh.
I think TV cookery programmes have a lot to answer for.
Soouthchurch59
says...
12:08pm Sat 9 Feb 13
Carnabackable
says...
2:19pm Sat 9 Feb 13
Thomo100 wrote:Yummy fancy a meal down Olde Leigh, ok lets go, hang on they charging to park, oh forget it,.........
Issue is that people are time poor and local councils simply do not care about local business.
We went to Leigh on Saturday. Parking is an issue and the on road is free but for only an hour, meaning that by the time we got out of the car, found somewhere to eat, ordered the food, and eat it, we had to rush the process, no time for a drink or coffee and rush back to the car.
We wanted to buy some clothes and food items but couldn't so went to Waitrose with free parking.
Shame but unless councils act businesses will continue to close.
sosad 1
says...
2:33pm Sun 10 Feb 13
Carnabackable
says...
3:13pm Sun 10 Feb 13
sosad 1 wrote:They, NOT THAY.....
someone on here said back to half apint of cockles have thay won the lottery
grippie
says...
5:45pm Sun 10 Feb 13
t! says...
8:31pm Thu 7 Feb 13
Im shocked...i loved this restaurant"
"LibbyJ says...
10:31pm Thu 7 Feb 13
Very sad to hear about this superb restaurant going down."
I agree my family used it a couple of times last year and found it a delight. Had a great atmosphere and ambiance. Food terrific, What a shame.
H.79
says...
11:27pm Sun 10 Feb 13
perini
says...
1:55pm Mon 11 Feb 13
Carnabackable wrote:Then just stay away - you won't be missed!
Thomo100 wrote: Issue is that people are time poor and local councils simply do not care about local business. We went to Leigh on Saturday. Parking is an issue and the on road is free but for only an hour, meaning that by the time we got out of the car, found somewhere to eat, ordered the food, and eat it, we had to rush the process, no time for a drink or coffee and rush back to the car. We wanted to buy some clothes and food items but couldn't so went to Waitrose with free parking. Shame but unless councils act businesses will continue to close.Please don't blame it on the council, you could have paid to park, you had money for your meal, and wannabe clothes, though I'm surprised you bothered to eat, at Old Leigh, always a stench from the cockles..
zipster31
says...
1:17pm Tue 12 Feb 13
As for Leigh, it has many shops we would like to visit and purchase items, eat food, but parking is a major issue so we simply don't go.
southend brummie
says...
6:53pm Tue 12 Feb 13
I never went back and am delighted it has folded. If you don't provide service to the public you can't run a successful restaurant.
leighonsea mummy
says...
4:27pm Wed 13 Feb 13
Shrimpers Not Blues wrote:park and ride from leigh train station....great idea... cars can park in the huge station car park. and people from the train can also use the servis for a ride up the hill. i think a lot of people arnt aware about the huge car park behind the station. people are lazy. they dont want to walk. i personaly would be happy for parking permits in my road. and meters along the broadway... people would get used to it. shoppers dont park down my road. but the people who work in leigh. how many places can you drive to work or shop and park for nowt?
southend_Dave wrote:The problem with parking at the station is the long walk,to get to the Cockle Sheds. It must be at least 400 yards. Yes I appreciate that there are those out there that can't walk that far....but come on!!!!
Thomo100 wrote: Issue is that people are time poor and local councils simply do not care about local business. We went to Leigh on Saturday. Parking is an issue and the on road is free but for only an hour, meaning that by the time we got out of the car, found somewhere to eat, ordered the food, and eat it, we had to rush the process, no time for a drink or coffee and rush back to the car. We wanted to buy some clothes and food items but couldn't so went to Waitrose with free parking. Shame but unless councils act businesses will continue to close.Parking is poor. Apart from the massive car park at the train station. Shame there isnt any public transport nearby, like a station next to the massive station car park. Oh wait.... Good to blame the council, but Old Leigh is always busy, its not because of lack of access.
Perhaps theres a business opportunity? Buy a load of golf carts and ferry people back and forth to save their legs!!!
echoforum
says...
4:38pm Thu 14 Feb 13
Over rated ,poor parking and other than chips and alcohol ,why on earth would you make the effort to wander down the miserable 200yard stretch.
Old Leigh is just surviving on its past history and has little relevance in 2013
Carnabackable says...
7:56pm Thu 7 Feb 13
horrendous parking, and plenty of other selling the same for less outlets.