Towie’s Arg to open Southend seafront restaurant (From Southend Standard)

Towie’s Arg to open Southend seafront restaurant

7:00am Friday 11th May 2012 in Southend By Emma Thomas

A REALITY TV star will officially open a new £2million restaurant on Southend seafront, creating 50 new jobs.

James “Arg” Argent from ITV2’s the Only Way is Essex will be at Feelgoods at Adventure Island which opens tomorrow.

The new development, by the owners of Adventure Island, is made up of a family pizzeria, game zone and retro milkshake bar and replaces the Pizzas of Eight restaurant.

The upper floor houses a pizza and pasta restaurant, plus a stage for live entertainment performed by visiting acts and the staff.

On the ground floor is a Game Zone which is cash free – visitors load credit onto swipe cards and then play. With each game you can collect points that can be swapped for prizes ranging from cuddly toys to Xbox 360’s.

Marc Miller, managing director of Stockvale which runs Adventure Island, said: “With City Beach making such a huge improvement to Southend, our aim is that Feelgoods will enhance that even further.

“It will make the seafront a destination for families throughout the year – bringing much-needed trade to the area through the winter months. It will also help transform the evening economy into a friendly and family-focused experience.”

Feelgoods is also environmentally-friendly.

It has a natural sedum “living roof” made up from hundreds of mini cacti that change colour through the seasons and are completely self sufficient, absorbing water from the environment.

The roof is also a natural migrating place for birds.

Mr Miller added: “We worked really hard to design a building that responds to the sensitive setting of Southend’s internationally important pier and reflect the heritage and nostalgia for the Great British seaside.

“We really hope Feelgoods will further boost Southend’s vital tourist economy and create much needed additional jobs for our town.”