Shock closure of revamped dining rooms on the seafront (From Echo)
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Shock closure of revamped dining rooms on the seafront
1:00pm Thursday 23rd August 2012 in Local News
Closed despite refurbishment – the Monico Dining Rooms
A SEAFRONT restaurant which underwent a £50,000 makeover has closed just eight months after it was relaunched.
The Brad Simpson Dining Rooms, also known as the Monico Dining Rooms, in Eastern Esplanade, Canvey , had offered a British tapas menu.
Owner Brad Simpson took on the business in 2011, but it is unclear why he has called time on the venture. He was head chef there between 2005 and 2007, and returned to run it after working in a number of top restaurants in Essex and London.
Following the refurbishment over Christmas last year, the dining rooms were officially reopened in January. The venue was also used by the Laughing Pod comedy club, which is based in Southend.
It is not all bad news for business on Canvey.
Suzanne Gray, 44, of Monico Leisure – the company which owns the Monico building – said she is confident someone else will come forward to run the dining rooms and said it was an “exciting” time.
Other new businesses are also popping up along the seafront, including the Oyster Sports Bar, CK Bar and Mrs Gray’s next venture, Jimmy Mac’s, opposite the Monico.
Mrs Gray, from Benfleet , said: “All of a sudden there’s a rumble on the seafront – a small strip is developing which we hope will make the seafront a lot better and turn it into the jewel in the crown that it should be.
“A busier seafront will create more employment and make everyone else much better off, because people want to come down here. It certainly gives the Canvey community something to look forward to.”
Castle Point councillor for Canvey Island West, Ray Howard , said he was sad to hear about the closure of the dining rooms.
But he hoped the redevelopment of the former Canvey Casino site would boost trade and the overall attractiveness of the seafront.
He added: “There’s nothing worse than people having to close a business, but I do hope when that extra development comes into being, coupled with existing businesses, it will do well, particularly if the economy starts turning round.”
Mr Simpson was unavailable for comment.
Comments(16)
StuckInTraffic
says...
1:49pm Thu 23 Aug 12
The Real Haze wrote:I think you've hit the nail on the head there as to why it might have closed. If that is what it looks like on the outside why would anyone want to go inside.
£50,000 makeover? From the picture, it doesn't look like it!
pendulum
says...
1:56pm Thu 23 Aug 12
v.randy
says...
2:51pm Thu 23 Aug 12
To refurb The Monico properly would cost millions.
Pictures don't lie.
I'm glad the 'owner' thinks another business going bust 'is exciting' because in that case she should pay a visit to Southend High St where she can really get her jollies.
Clearly she has spent time reading 'how to do spin' and not quite got the hang of it...1/10 for effort.
Audioman
says...
4:49pm Thu 23 Aug 12
thesouthendone
says...
7:27pm Thu 23 Aug 12
rayleigh123
says...
9:59pm Thu 23 Aug 12
Food 9/10
Price !0/!0
REstaurant 9/10
Staff 9/10
A really good restaurant
Now the problem, it was situated above the Monico
The entire area needs pulling down
The owner should have put his resources into a much "better" area
like the town centre
Its a real shame
Brunning999
says...
8:17am Fri 24 Aug 12
APR
says...
10:16am Fri 24 Aug 12
I've only been there once, and that was about 40yrs ago. Saw the "Pedlars" play there.
Now who can remember them ?
echoreader1
says...
10:52am Fri 24 Aug 12
thesouthendone
says...
12:26pm Fri 24 Aug 12
Eric Whim
says...
4:28pm Fri 24 Aug 12
thesouthendone wrote:biggest shock is that it lasted a whole eight months before going down the tubes
Not really a shock closure! The whole place is a tip, especially the pub!
asbo uncut
says...
9:00pm Fri 24 Aug 12
Major Incident
says...
10:38pm Fri 24 Aug 12
What's that then - roast beef, gravy, three veg and a yorkshire served up bit at a time on seperate dishes?
missy1977
says...
12:12pm Sat 25 Aug 12
pendulum wrote:lol this comment tickled me but sadly no, I drove past last week & can confirm this is exactly what it looks like, that whole area just looks so rough & run down I didnt even realise any of it was open.
Obviously that wreck of a building is what it looked like BEFORE the refit... right??
TrueBlueSUFC
says...
10:00pm Sun 26 Aug 12
WHAT ON CANVEY!!!! HAHAHAHAHA!
The Real Haze says...
1:13pm Thu 23 Aug 12