Southend Pearl Dragon family retirement after 45 years

The Pearl Dragon, on Eastern Esplanade, first opened its doors back in 1978 and has been run by the Yeung family ever since. 

Yuen Yeung launched the restaurant after noticing a gap in the market in Southend and the business was passed on to his children who have helped it become a hit in the city. 

Brothers Steve, Jimmy and John Yeung, alongside sister Linda Law have announced their retirement from the business and will be closing the restaurant for the final time on October 27.

Farewell - Steve Yeung and sister Linda Law (Image: Steve Yeung)

However, the restaurant will be passed on to a London restaurateur ahead of a re-opening on October 30.

The restaurant will be staying as the Pearl Dragon and offering the food that has helped it become so well known.

Steve, 52, said: “This whole experience has been humbling, through the restaurant and the connection we have made with the community, with the events we do.

Family - Sara, John and Steve Yeung, Kim and Luke Tilly, Tony and Linda Law (Image: Steve Yeung)

“The love and feedback we have been getting is so great, our phone has been off the hook, and it is just genuine, customers calling in tears and people coming into the restaurant in tears.

“We are a part of Southend, the area and we have run into people abroad, you say the words Essex and Chinese restaurant and they immediately say, ‘the Pearl Dragon’.

“It is all about the customers, we have customers who we have served for four generations, we have families who have grown up with us, so many customers are such good friends.

“We have attended weddings and funerals; we have hosted weddings and funerals.”

Founders - Yuen Yeung and Tsang Yeung (Image: Steve Yeung)

Steve added the decision was down to his family “doing this for 45 years solidly without a meaningful break,”. 

The siblings have grown up involved in the restaurant throughout their whole lives and Steve has worked at the Pearl Dragon full-time since 2009.

Steve said: “My favourite memories are being able to work so closely with my family for so long and I look on that with great pride, we work so well as a family.”