Westcliff Alvaros Restaurant is placed on the market

Alvaros Restaurant, in St Helen’s Road, Westcliff, was opened by Sami Kurti and his family in 1977, going on to gain notoriety for its “old-school” approach and varied menu.

The business has now been listed for sale by Dedman Gray for £695,000, although Mr Kurti insists no final decision has yet been made on the restaurant’s future.

Celebrity – Sami Kurti with chef Jamie Oliver (Image: Sami Kurt)

Mr Kurti says the business has struggled recently, especially since Southend Council introduced permit-only parking outside, which operates from 8pm to 6pm daily.

Southend Council has highlighted alternative free parking available on Hamlet Court Road, just around the corner from the restaurant, in response but Mr Kurti fears the parking is deterring visitors.

He said: “Our restaurant is one of a kind. We’re coming up to 50 years, so we’re a long-established business.

“But we’re coming to the point where we can’t keep going anymore.

“In the middle of December, Southend Council introduced permit-only parking outside the restaurant, which is putting customers off.”

Homely – the restaurant’s décor (Image: Sami Kurt)

Mr Kurti sold the business several years ago to its current owner and former accountant, Ian Hornsey.

The original owner remains involved as the restaurant’s manager and says it has continued to be successful thanks to its unique Portuguese offering.

He added: “We offer something completely different for our customers. We’re old school, down to our silver service.

“I don’t think anyone in Essex does what we do.”

Celebrations – the restaurant has been popular for parties (Image: Sami Kurt)

However, he claims rising costs and recent parking changes have put its future in doubt.

Mr Kurti said: “We opened our family business nearly half a century ago and it’s been very successful so far. The whole area has changed, and not for the better, especially with the introduction of parking permits.

“A lot of businesses in Southend are struggling with the cost of living, and now the parking situation means we just can’t afford to keep going.

“No final decision has been made yet, but we’ve put the restaurant on the market just to gauge interest in it.”

Kevin Buck, Southend councillor responsible for parking, admitted the restaurant could be "a victim of the unintended consequences of parking restrictions".

He said: "I am sorry to hear that Alvaros restaurant is closing. The parking restrictions in the Milton West resident parking scheme end at 6pm each evening, but appreciate these times may not suit the Alvaros restaurant.

"It's possible that the restaurant has been a victim of the unintended consequences of parking controls and restrictions and we as a council, must listen to cases such as this.

"The introduction of the scheme in 2022 followed campaigning by the Milton councillors, who lobbied for it and which welcomed input from residents and businesses. The majority of respondents indicated being in favour of designating the area as a controlled and permitted parking scheme.

"Additionally, car parking is available at the London Road end of Hamlet Court Road which is free from 6pm onwards every night, and a number of bays are also available in Hamlet Court Road itself."