A PAIR of self-declared “middle-aged women juggling families” have taken a new business from the ground to the “number one Southend restaurant” in just six months.

The Seafood Shack, in Eastern Esplanade, Southend, was opened back in June this year by two lifelong friends who admitted they had very little experience running a restaurant. 

Owners, Sandy Van Deventer, 51, and Wendy Church, 50, decided to take on a new venture and opened The Seafood Shack - serving fresh seafood, both hot and cold.

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According to TripAdvisor the Seafood Shack, is now the number one “best rated” restaurant in Southend.

Sandy said: “After months of blood, sweat, and tears, June 2022 saw The Seafood Shack reborn, and the rest since is history.

“We both agree it has been a rewarding and challenging experience, and we are still constantly learning ‘on the job’ as we go.

“But, despite the road to success being difficult, especially juggling family and business life, we are not looking back.

“It wasn’t all plain sailing at first, as neither of us had any experience in seafood, let alone running a food business, but we had a passion for cooking, and wanted to make it work.

“We just wish we had the courage and experience to do this in our twenties.

“The feedback from customers has just been amazing as well as the support from the community.

“To be number one restaurant in Southend, is so rewarding, greatly received, and much appreciated.”

The pair first went into business first in Rochford in 2019, with the Seafood Shack.

However, due to Covid hitting shortly after, they felt it wasn’t the right time and sold the business.

After having a re-think, re-brand, and more research, the couple decided to give it another shot, and bought the new site in Southend.

Eventually, after months of work, it opened in June and the pair haven’t looked back since.

Going forward the business owners say they have recently now extended into the building next door, to create a lounge / bar area, and extend the restaurant slightly.

Both Sandy, and Wendy, hope to continue on this positive, successful path, long into the future.