Leigh seafood restaurant shuts its doors

7:10pm Thursday 7th February 2013 in Southend

Leigh seafood restaurant shuts its doors after running into financial troubles Leigh seafood restaurant shuts its doors after running into financial troubles

A SEAFOOD restaurant in Old Leigh has closed after running into financial difficulties.
 

Simply Seafood opened in July 2008 after its owners transformed a former cockle shed in the High Street.

The 24-seat restaurant initially did well but is said to have recently failed to negotiate its way through the current economic climate.

No one at the restaurant wished to comment yesterday (wed) but the reason for the closure was confirmed.

Former town councillor Mike Dolby, welcomed the new restaurant when it opened and said he was disappointed to hear of it’s sudden demise.

He said: “This is very sad but looking at the numbers of people walking in Leigh Broadway and other areas recently I can’t say I am surprised.

 

Comments(45)

Carnabackable says...
7:56pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Remember this is old Leigh, not Covent Garden, something other traders might try remembering, the age of the cockle shed has passed, but some have it in their heads, that building such palaces will reap bigger profits, look at it, there's always a smell from those rotting cockles
horrendous parking, and plenty of other selling the same for less outlets.

Report this post »

InTheKnowOk says...
7:57pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Let's hope it's not turned into another Costa .....

Report this post »

Carnabackable says...
8:00pm Thu 7 Feb 13

InTheKnowOk wrote:
Let's hope it's not turned into another Costa .....
I hope it is, I'm sick of the rip off Old Leigh prices, just goes to show, that it's better to get on with the job of fishing, without dreaming your the next Jamie Oliver.

Report this post »

Thomo100 says...
8:11pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Issue is that people are time poor and local councils simply do not care about local business.
We went to Leigh on Saturday. Parking is an issue and the on road is free but for only an hour, meaning that by the time we got out of the car, found somewhere to eat, ordered the food, and eat it, we had to rush the process, no time for a drink or coffee and rush back to the car.
We wanted to buy some clothes and food items but couldn't so went to Waitrose with free parking.
Shame but unless councils act businesses will continue to close.

Report this post »

thesouthendone says...
8:15pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Carnabackable wrote:
InTheKnowOk wrote:
Let's hope it's not turned into another Costa .....
I hope it is, I'm sick of the rip off Old Leigh prices, just goes to show, that it's better to get on with the job of fishing, without dreaming your the next Jamie Oliver.
Yeah your right, why dream at all, lets all go and get lobotomised and sit in costa coffee.

How dare somebody try and make a dream come true.

Findus may have been putting horse meat in lasagne but it looks like they left the a55 out.

Report this post »

Carnabackable says...
8:16pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Thomo100 wrote:
Issue is that people are time poor and local councils simply do not care about local business.
We went to Leigh on Saturday. Parking is an issue and the on road is free but for only an hour, meaning that by the time we got out of the car, found somewhere to eat, ordered the food, and eat it, we had to rush the process, no time for a drink or coffee and rush back to the car.
We wanted to buy some clothes and food items but couldn't so went to Waitrose with free parking.
Shame but unless councils act businesses will continue to close.
Please don't blame it on the council, you could have paid to park, you had money for your meal, and wannabe clothes, though I'm surprised you bothered to eat, at Old Leigh, always a stench from the cockles..

Report this post »

Carnabackable says...
8:19pm Thu 7 Feb 13

thesouthendone wrote:
Carnabackable wrote:
InTheKnowOk wrote:
Let's hope it's not turned into another Costa .....
I hope it is, I'm sick of the rip off Old Leigh prices, just goes to show, that it's better to get on with the job of fishing, without dreaming your the next Jamie Oliver.
Yeah your right, why dream at all, lets all go and get lobotomised and sit in costa coffee.

How dare somebody try and make a dream come true.

Findus may have been putting horse meat in lasagne but it looks like they left the a55 out.
Dream come true - Show me, the so called shabby-chic Old Leigh is about to suffer lots of closures, due to it's over, self inflated culinary providence.

Report this post »

Thecountrysgonetopot! says...
8:31pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Im shocked...i loved this restaurant

Report this post »

Carnabackable says...
9:27pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Thecountrysgonetopot
! wrote:
Im shocked...i loved this restaurant
Oh your the one......

Report this post »

DogsMessInLeigh says...
9:28pm Thu 7 Feb 13

in the depths of winter not the ideal spot for a seafood dinner, in the summer a bad place for parking and whats more its right under the eyesore concrete bridge, the area/carpark surrounding the restaurant is a bit rough really....but it was a cockle shed/commercial working area before.

Report this post »

LibbyJ says...
10:30pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Cue Handel's Hallelujah Chorus - someone linked to Leigh TC has noticed things are not going well in the town!!! Hallelujah!!! Maybe now they might even start thinking about fixing things......... "Former town councillor Mike Dolby, welcomed the new restaurant when it opened and said he was disappointed to hear of it’s sudden demise.

He said: “This is very sad but looking at the numbers of people walking in Leigh Broadway and other areas recently I can’t say I am surprised. "

PARKING would be a good start.

Report this post »

LibbyJ says...
10:31pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Very sad to hear about this superb restaurant going down.

Report this post »

LibbyJ says...
10:36pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Thomo100 wrote:
Issue is that people are time poor and local councils simply do not care about local business.
We went to Leigh on Saturday. Parking is an issue and the on road is free but for only an hour, meaning that by the time we got out of the car, found somewhere to eat, ordered the food, and eat it, we had to rush the process, no time for a drink or coffee and rush back to the car.
We wanted to buy some clothes and food items but couldn't so went to Waitrose with free parking.
Shame but unless councils act businesses will continue to close.
You put it perfectly. Things must be quiet even in the eateries though. Didn't used to be able to get served and eat and get back to car within the hour.

There is so little parking in Leigh that it gets filled quickly. The streets are filled with cars driving round looking for spaces. People walking are not shopping. The shops are close to empty!

The local council thinks the shopkeepers are squirreling away money by the barrel. They are SO wrong.

Report this post »

Alan Jacobs says...
3:09am Fri 8 Feb 13

Thomo100 wrote:
Issue is that people are time poor and local councils simply do not care about local business.
We went to Leigh on Saturday. Parking is an issue and the on road is free but for only an hour, meaning that by the time we got out of the car, found somewhere to eat, ordered the food, and eat it, we had to rush the process, no time for a drink or coffee and rush back to the car.
We wanted to buy some clothes and food items but couldn't so went to Waitrose with free parking.
Shame but unless councils act businesses will continue to close.
This is absolutely right. Councils cannot see pass their purse strings and how they can take advantage of motorists at every opportunity. They are playing their own large part in helping to kill trade. It's time that all parking meters and yellow lines on commercial high Streets are ripped up and banished.

Report this post »

southend_Dave says...
8:40am Fri 8 Feb 13

Thomo100 wrote:
Issue is that people are time poor and local councils simply do not care about local business.
We went to Leigh on Saturday. Parking is an issue and the on road is free but for only an hour, meaning that by the time we got out of the car, found somewhere to eat, ordered the food, and eat it, we had to rush the process, no time for a drink or coffee and rush back to the car.
We wanted to buy some clothes and food items but couldn't so went to Waitrose with free parking.
Shame but unless councils act businesses will continue to close.
Parking is poor.

Apart from the massive car park at the train station.

Shame there isnt any public transport nearby, like a station next to the massive station car park. Oh wait....

Good to blame the council, but Old Leigh is always busy, its not because of lack of access.

Report this post »

sosad 1 says...
9:07am Fri 8 Feb 13

i went there once when i got the bill i said at least dick turpin wore a mask!

Report this post »

Ivadda Goodhump says...
10:12am Fri 8 Feb 13

Natural selection really.

There are already far too many eateries/cafes/resta
urants/winebars etc in the Leigh area for them all to survive in the current economic climate.

The only positive about some of these closing is that it may force the landlords to reduce the rents and thereby allow other retail types to open up. This will give a more varied shopping choice and hopefully attract more shoppers.

Report this post »

InTheKnowOk says...
10:15am Fri 8 Feb 13

Carnabackable wrote:
InTheKnowOk wrote:
Let's hope it's not turned into another Costa .....
I hope it is, I'm sick of the rip off Old Leigh prices, just goes to show, that it's better to get on with the job of fishing, without dreaming your the next Jamie Oliver.
So you don't think charging nearly 4 quid for a cheese toastie is a rip off? that with a latte was nearly 7 pound at Costa .. Times that by four say, if you were taking the family there for a quick bite, that's a lot in my book,

Report this post »

Cosmo Spring says...
1:04pm Fri 8 Feb 13

maybe they'll reopen as a horseburger bar

Report this post »

twopenneth79 says...
2:05pm Fri 8 Feb 13

InTheKnowOk wrote:
Carnabackable wrote:
InTheKnowOk wrote:
Let's hope it's not turned into another Costa .....
I hope it is, I'm sick of the rip off Old Leigh prices, just goes to show, that it's better to get on with the job of fishing, without dreaming your the next Jamie Oliver.
So you don't think charging nearly 4 quid for a cheese toastie is a rip off? that with a latte was nearly 7 pound at Costa .. Times that by four say, if you were taking the family there for a quick bite, that's a lot in my book,
Not surprised at all - Thought it was over-priced for what it was and the service was appalling. Didn't even get a response when I emailed our poor experience! How not to win customers and influence them...

Report this post »

Touch79 says...
2:20pm Fri 8 Feb 13

The main reason I never tried this restaurant was the mandatory service charge, as stated on their website.

I always tip a restaurant but it should be optional. To be forced leaves a bad taste before you even get there.

The other reason was that they were closed on Mondays which is normally the best evening for me to go out. I know that's not unusual for restaurants but those that open Sundays and Mondays are almost always the ones that get my custom.

Report this post »

jarvis2 says...
2:36pm Fri 8 Feb 13

Afterr much hype I ate there recently and it was awful. Food was poor, service bad. I grew up in Essex and lived in London for 15 years before returning. The food in Leigh ( except thr Grove and Irmas ) is overpriced and poor. Its London prices without the quality, Leigh needs some decent gastro pubs with good food and good atmosphere not more TOWIE wine bars with designer shirt types eating £17 fish and chips...

Report this post »

RobertFS says...
2:52pm Fri 8 Feb 13

LibbyJ wrote:
Thomo100 wrote: Issue is that people are time poor and local councils simply do not care about local business. We went to Leigh on Saturday. Parking is an issue and the on road is free but for only an hour, meaning that by the time we got out of the car, found somewhere to eat, ordered the food, and eat it, we had to rush the process, no time for a drink or coffee and rush back to the car. We wanted to buy some clothes and food items but couldn't so went to Waitrose with free parking. Shame but unless councils act businesses will continue to close.
You put it perfectly. Things must be quiet even in the eateries though. Didn't used to be able to get served and eat and get back to car within the hour. There is so little parking in Leigh that it gets filled quickly. The streets are filled with cars driving round looking for spaces. People walking are not shopping. The shops are close to empty! The local council thinks the shopkeepers are squirreling away money by the barrel. They are SO wrong.
the restaurant was ok but the problem is parking charges.
many businesses would do well if it were not for greedy councils.
southend council has killed the high street through wanting to squeeze as much as they can from people viviting using cars.
which is why so many go to 'out of town' but that not far out, to shop.
they won't learn! whilst i support the council, frankly they are short sighted!
'don't bite the hand that feeds you' comes to mind.

Report this post »

Rochford Rob says...
4:14pm Fri 8 Feb 13

Wrong place?
Wrong product(s)?
Wrong prices?

Every other place that I like to eat at in Leigh are usually banged out solid.

Report this post »

Shrimpers Not Blues says...
4:39pm Fri 8 Feb 13

southend_Dave wrote:
Thomo100 wrote: Issue is that people are time poor and local councils simply do not care about local business. We went to Leigh on Saturday. Parking is an issue and the on road is free but for only an hour, meaning that by the time we got out of the car, found somewhere to eat, ordered the food, and eat it, we had to rush the process, no time for a drink or coffee and rush back to the car. We wanted to buy some clothes and food items but couldn't so went to Waitrose with free parking. Shame but unless councils act businesses will continue to close.
Parking is poor. Apart from the massive car park at the train station. Shame there isnt any public transport nearby, like a station next to the massive station car park. Oh wait.... Good to blame the council, but Old Leigh is always busy, its not because of lack of access.
The problem with parking at the station is the long walk,to get to the Cockle Sheds. It must be at least 400 yards. Yes I appreciate that there are those out there that can't walk that far....but come on!!!!

Perhaps theres a business opportunity? Buy a load of golf carts and ferry people back and forth to save their legs!!!

Report this post »

Bernard Fatsack says...
5:08pm Fri 8 Feb 13

I thought this ambitious when it opened and ostentatios. Too industrial and expensive. Oh well it will probably become a McDonalds.
I look forward to the new equestrian burger : Big Muck 2 to 1

Report this post »

Bernard Fatsack says...
5:10pm Fri 8 Feb 13

sosad 1 wrote:
i went there once when i got the bill i said at least dick turpin wore a mask!
so true !!! theres no fingers in Findus fish fingers you know......

Report this post »

Carnabackable says...
5:58pm Fri 8 Feb 13

Put simply, if an eatery is considered good, the financial climate, the parking fees, and other competition, will have little affect, on the profits, unless as mentioned, the service is poor, the menu overpriced, and the whole dining experience, leaves it's customers pondering, as to why they bothered to visit.
Too many wannabe Jamie Olivers, thinking they can match Boat Yard, by turning an old shack into a designer looking eatery.
Time to get back to basics, half a pint of cockles please....

Report this post »

Carnabackable says...
6:04pm Fri 8 Feb 13

Bernard Fatsack wrote:
sosad 1 wrote:
i went there once when i got the bill i said at least dick turpin wore a mask!
so true !!! theres no fingers in Findus fish fingers you know......
The Galloping gourmet comes to mind, when ever I read Findus...........Lol

Report this post »

maxell says...
7:05pm Fri 8 Feb 13

another one for jamie , another tax loss story,

Report this post »

GrumpyofLeigh says...
7:12pm Fri 8 Feb 13

Ok Carn but havent you spent all your previous whinges moaning about the smell of cockleshells?
So why do you want some now?

Report this post »

Carnabackable says...
7:33pm Fri 8 Feb 13

GrumpyofLeigh wrote:
Ok Carn but havent you spent all your previous whinges moaning about the smell of cockleshells?
So why do you want some now?
I don't want any, just making a point, regarding the business they should stick to, cockles, not roasted sea bass with a hint of fennel...

Report this post »

GrumpyofLeigh says...
7:51pm Fri 8 Feb 13

I'm sure they wish now that they had bowed to your superior knowledge beforehand

Report this post »

Letmetryagain says...
10:00am Sat 9 Feb 13

Carnabackable wrote:
Put simply, if an eatery is considered good, the financial climate, the parking fees, and other competition, will have little affect, on the profits, unless as mentioned, the service is poor, the menu overpriced, and the whole dining experience, leaves it's customers pondering, as to why they bothered to visit.
Too many wannabe Jamie Olivers, thinking they can match Boat Yard, by turning an old shack into a designer looking eatery.
Time to get back to basics, half a pint of cockles please....
Isn't that just the truth.

Too many restaurants with "silly names" and ultra expensive "designer cooking".

It might work in London, but not in Leigh.

I think TV cookery programmes have a lot to answer for.

Report this post »

Soouthchurch59 says...
12:08pm Sat 9 Feb 13

Location x 3....

Report this post »

Carnabackable says...
2:19pm Sat 9 Feb 13

Thomo100 wrote:
Issue is that people are time poor and local councils simply do not care about local business.
We went to Leigh on Saturday. Parking is an issue and the on road is free but for only an hour, meaning that by the time we got out of the car, found somewhere to eat, ordered the food, and eat it, we had to rush the process, no time for a drink or coffee and rush back to the car.
We wanted to buy some clothes and food items but couldn't so went to Waitrose with free parking.
Shame but unless councils act businesses will continue to close.
Yummy fancy a meal down Olde Leigh, ok lets go, hang on they charging to park, oh forget it,.........

Report this post »

sosad 1 says...
2:33pm Sun 10 Feb 13

someone on here said back to half apint of cockles have thay won the lottery

Report this post »

Carnabackable says...
3:13pm Sun 10 Feb 13

sosad 1 wrote:
someone on here said back to half apint of cockles have thay won the lottery
They, NOT THAY.....

Report this post »

grippie says...
5:45pm Sun 10 Feb 13

"Thecountrysgonetopo
t! says...
8:31pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Im shocked...i loved this restaurant"

"LibbyJ says...
10:31pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Very sad to hear about this superb restaurant going down."

I agree my family used it a couple of times last year and found it a delight. Had a great atmosphere and ambiance. Food terrific, What a shame.

Report this post »

H.79 says...
11:27pm Sun 10 Feb 13

Maybe it's not the parking or the fancy food - maybe the owner had other kinds of financial problems! Mr Taxman probably came a-knocking...

Report this post »

perini says...
1:55pm Mon 11 Feb 13

Carnabackable wrote:
Thomo100 wrote: Issue is that people are time poor and local councils simply do not care about local business. We went to Leigh on Saturday. Parking is an issue and the on road is free but for only an hour, meaning that by the time we got out of the car, found somewhere to eat, ordered the food, and eat it, we had to rush the process, no time for a drink or coffee and rush back to the car. We wanted to buy some clothes and food items but couldn't so went to Waitrose with free parking. Shame but unless councils act businesses will continue to close.
Please don't blame it on the council, you could have paid to park, you had money for your meal, and wannabe clothes, though I'm surprised you bothered to eat, at Old Leigh, always a stench from the cockles..
Then just stay away - you won't be missed!

Report this post »

zipster31 says...
1:17pm Tue 12 Feb 13

A recession usually flushes out the not so good businesses. I think this is a good thing. For example all the cowboy builders, plumbers, window companies have their work dry up and most go bust. Yet the good service, fair priced, good quality product/service providing individuals and businesses tend to thrive. They end up with more work and are booked up to and beyond a year in advance.
As for Leigh, it has many shops we would like to visit and purchase items, eat food, but parking is a major issue so we simply don't go.

Report this post »

southend brummie says...
6:53pm Tue 12 Feb 13

A friend came down to Southend and I took him to Simply Seafood. The weather was poor and the restaurant was empty. We were turned away because the restaurant was "busy".

I never went back and am delighted it has folded. If you don't provide service to the public you can't run a successful restaurant.

Report this post »

leighonsea mummy says...
4:27pm Wed 13 Feb 13

Shrimpers Not Blues wrote:
southend_Dave wrote:
Thomo100 wrote: Issue is that people are time poor and local councils simply do not care about local business. We went to Leigh on Saturday. Parking is an issue and the on road is free but for only an hour, meaning that by the time we got out of the car, found somewhere to eat, ordered the food, and eat it, we had to rush the process, no time for a drink or coffee and rush back to the car. We wanted to buy some clothes and food items but couldn't so went to Waitrose with free parking. Shame but unless councils act businesses will continue to close.
Parking is poor. Apart from the massive car park at the train station. Shame there isnt any public transport nearby, like a station next to the massive station car park. Oh wait.... Good to blame the council, but Old Leigh is always busy, its not because of lack of access.
The problem with parking at the station is the long walk,to get to the Cockle Sheds. It must be at least 400 yards. Yes I appreciate that there are those out there that can't walk that far....but come on!!!!

Perhaps theres a business opportunity? Buy a load of golf carts and ferry people back and forth to save their legs!!!
park and ride from leigh train station....great idea... cars can park in the huge station car park. and people from the train can also use the servis for a ride up the hill. i think a lot of people arnt aware about the huge car park behind the station. people are lazy. they dont want to walk. i personaly would be happy for parking permits in my road. and meters along the broadway... people would get used to it. shoppers dont park down my road. but the people who work in leigh. how many places can you drive to work or shop and park for nowt?

Report this post »

echoforum says...
4:38pm Thu 14 Feb 13

Old Leigh..mystery why it's popular at all.
Over rated ,poor parking and other than chips and alcohol ,why on earth would you make the effort to wander down the miserable 200yard stretch.
Old Leigh is just surviving on its past history and has little relevance in 2013

Report this post »

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree