TRIBUTES are flooding in for a former restaurateur who has died.

Steve Jones, from Southchurch, died on Wednesday, aged 68.

He was well known and much loved in the area after taking over the Pipe of Port in High Street, Southend in 1981.

Steve ran the restaurant with his late wife, Sue, and sister-in-law, Janet Cliff.

They ran it together until July 2010 when Sue sadly died aged 57.

He continued running it with Janet until 2013.

They ran it until 2013.

His family have spoken of their grief at the loss of a giant kind-hearted Scottish man.

Daughter Layla Tydeman, 32, from Shoebury, said she has many great memories of him.

She said “He was a great storyteller, when we were children he would make up amazing stories.

“He was a member of St Helen’s Church, Southend.

“He also used to go France and help out with disabled people.

“He was very accommodating and would do anything for anyone.

“They owned a few restaurants and bars.”

Janet said he loved his business and worked so hard at it to be a success.

She said: “We had a lot of fun while working very hard.

“After Sue died, he decided it was time to retire.

“He really enjoyed running the businesses and changed things to ensure it was all homemade.

"The business was very important to all of us - it was our livelihood.”

A spokesman for the restaurant said: “It is with immense sadness we learnt that Steve Jones had passed away.

"He was not only an incredible chef and shrewd wine enthusiast but was also a friend, a mentor and an inspiration.”