THE Labworth’s eight-month closure is just a small bump in the restaurant’s long and interesting history on Canvey.
The Eastern Esplanade restaurant is housed in a stunning Grade II listed building in a prime seafront spot.
Today, it has a loyal fanbase and has even been visited by Prince Edward and the Princess Royal, but it hasn’t always been plain sailing for the Labworth.
It was built in the 1930s, designed by the renowned engineer Ove Arup to resemble the bridge of the now retired RMS Queen Mary ship.
The Labworth re-opened on Wednesday (Image: Elliot Deady, Newsquest)
It was designed for tourists visiting the then fast-growing island resort and is thought to be the only building still standing solely designed by Mr Arup.
A café opened in the building in its early days but it became neglected as the popularity of English seaside holidays slumped.
The building escaped demolition in the 1970s and 80s, when a £104million redevelopment of Essex’s flood defences was completed.
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Despite falling into disrepair, it was awarded Grade II listed building status by English Heritage in 1996 and was snapped up by its current owner, chef and National Lottery winner Chris Topping, two years later.
A restaurant, today known as Savor, eventually opened upstairs which was later followed by the café downstairs.
Now retired, Chris still owns the Labworth and his family continue to play an active role in running it.
Lifelong Canvey resident and former long-standing borough councillor Ray Howard fought to save the building from being torn down in the 1970s.
“It’s the only place on Canvey where the seawall went around the building, so it felt like a victory,” the 82-year-old said.
“I was 100 per cent in favour of Chris buying it and it turned out to be fantastic. Chris put everything into it and instead of it looking like a dull old building it really became something.
“I was so proud to have played a major part in it and I think Chris and his family have done a great job.”
Canvey Island East councillor Susan Brooke is delighted the “really exceptional” restaurant has re-opened its doors.
“It’s a really lovely place to eat and we often go down there on special occasions,” the Canvey Island Independent councillor said.
“It’s people-friendly and the food is delicious.”
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