A LONG-STANDING Portuguese restaurant is buzzing with excitement to welcome back customers after being shut throughout the Covid pandemic.

Bosses at Alvaros, on St Helen’s Road, Westcliff, submitted plans to convert the 45-year-old restaurants into flats, but have insisted this was just a precaution and the restaurant will re-open on May 18.

Sami Kurti, director for Fine Dining Southend Ltd said: “As owners, we didn’t know where everything was heading from December onwards.

“We put in a planning application to convert the property into flats just in case things went wrong as a precaution. It was never our intention to close unless we were forced to.

“Our intention was still to reopen as soon as we were allowed.

“We have been there since 1976 so the restaurant has been there for 45 years.

“It would have been a shame to shut and we can’t wait to see our customers back.”

The restaurant prides itself on offering guests an “experience” with silver service and is fully prepared to open again.

Mr Kurti has thanked government support for helping to keep the business afloat during the latest lockdown with a series of grants.

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He added: “Thanks to government grants we were able to keep the business running.

“Everything is set up and we will be ready for our customers.

“We look forward to seeing all of our regular customers as well as our new ones.”

Mr Kurti has thanked the community for their support over the year and during the pandemic.

He said: “We thank our loyal customers for your continued support over the past years.

“It has been a difficult time for the hospitality industry as a whole, but we are ready and waiting to welcome you back to our restaurant.”

Bookings are now being taken at Alvaros from May 18 with their regular opening hours.

To book a table with the restaurant, call 01702335840.

The Echo previously stated that Alvaros would not reopen following the pandemic after a planning application was submitted to Southend Council.

This is not the case and we would like to apologise for any upset or confusion caused.