Philip Miller MBE has slammed energy suppliers as it has been revealed a legendary Southend seafront cafe's running costs could hit £120,000.

The Three Shells' bosses fear they could be forced to fork out £120,000 a year to run the restaurant and takeaway amid rising costs.

The cafe is run by Stockvale Group, which also manages the nearby Adventure Island and Sea Life Adventure as well as Sands by the Sea.

Executive chairman, Philip Miller MBE told the Echo the cost of running The Three Shells has gone from £12,000 a year two years ago to £32,000 this year and now they are looking at the cost being £120,000 from September amid the energy crisis.

He has now compared the energy suppliers to notorious American gangster Al Capone in a tweet condemning the rising costs.

He said: "We have a new unwanted partner in the business, our energy suppliers.

"I’m pretty sure even Al Capone would have been easier to deal with.

"Between the oil companies, government and energy suppliers, we are victims of a ginormous protection racket."

This comes as the cost of chips could rise after suppliers warned the numerous heatwaves this summer has hit UK potato crops.