A PERSISTENT stench along the seafront has forced a Southend restaurant to reduce its hours as management claims that the foul odour is driving visitors away.

Restaurant owner Philip Miller claims the situation at Three Shells Beach has become so dire that at times they feel compelled to offer “gas masks” to diners.

This comes as a £1.9 million lagoon on Southend seafront was branded a “stinking pool of green slime” after becoming covered in algae.

Martin Terry, councillor for community safety, previously said the algae in the lagoon is a “natural occurrence”, but did admit it does “smell”.

‘Stinking pool’ - Three Shells Beach Lagoon ‘Stinking pool’ - Three Shells Beach Lagoon (Image: Philip Miller)

Philip Miller MBE is the owner of a number of businesses along Southend seafront, including Adventure Island, Sealife Adventure, Three Shells restaurant and Sands.

He says the stink is having a detrimental effect on Sands, and has “virtually killed” the Three Shells restaurant.

Mr Miller added: “Despite years of polite nagging to various members and officers of Southend Council, nothing has been done to alleviate the problem.

“The stink and general look of it has virtually killed the Three Shells restaurant and takeaway to the point where we once opened 12 months a year reduced to part time only nowadays.

“It has also had a detrimental effect on Sands, our family fish and chip restaurant. There are times when we need to offer our customers gas masks.

“We would not have minded but we have offered the solution year in and year out but have been given lip service only.

“To coin a phrase, they have buried their heads in the sand.”

Frustration - Philip Miller MBE Frustration - Philip Miller MBE (Image: Ruth Knight)

Fellow trader Martin Richardson, owner of the Happidrome Arcade, has also complained about the smell and claims people “cover their faces” whilst walking past.

He added: “The beach there and the pier area absolutely stink, “It is rancid. People walk with hands over their mouths, it is that disgusting.”

Southend Council has agreed on a plan for a more “intensified programme” of draining and refilling the lagoon.

In response, councillor Matt Dent, cabinet member for culture, tourism and business, said: “The lagoon is part of the estuary and not a swimming pool, and as such is controlled in large by the estuary itself.

“At the start of July, officers agreed a plan with Stockvale representatives to carry out a more intensified programme of draining and refilling to deal with the smell.

“This involved draining it during the week and letting it refill for weekends and then leaving it filled for the summer holidays at the request of seafront businesses.

“This dealt with the smell at the time and enabled us to clear the lagoon floor.

“We will be looking to drain the lagoon again after the summer season and repeat this process.”