5 days ago
Long-standing south Essex restaurant could close if business does not improve
THE owner of one of Hockley's longest-standing restaurants has warned that he could soon be forced to stop operating if business does not improve.
Neil's Bar and Kitchen has been serving residents for the past ten years on the town's Main Road and has adapted several times to weather the storms of an increasingly challenging hospitality industry.
Now, the restaurant's owner, Neil Necati, has said that he is considering closing the venue in its current form by the end of the year.
Passion - Neil and Mary have been running the venue for the past decade (Image: Neil Necati) 'This September will mark Neil's Bar and Kitchen's tenth full year in Hockley and it will also be our last year operating as Neil's Bar and Kitchen,' he said.
'Since the Covid-19 pandemic I haven't taken a salary and we've been cutting as many corners as possible.
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Talent - Neil has been working in the hospitality industry for his whole life (Image: Neil Necati)
'For the first three years that we were trading, business was good, but we were quickly hit by not just the pandemic, but also Brexit and the cost-of-living crisis.'
Having initially launched as an a la carte restaurant in 2015, the venue has since tried several changes to help boost business, but none have been able to turn business around.
Struggle - The businessowner has described the challenges of running an independent venue (Image: Neil Necati) Neil and his partner Mary have explored food delivery and extended breakfast service as well as making their menus more affordable.
Despite accumulating glowing reviews online and developing a loyal customer base, running the venue as a restaurant and bar is no longer a viable option for the couple.
'Continuing as we are no longer sustainable economically, not to mention the impact it has on our family life,' he said.
Popular - The bar has won over residents throughout the last decade (Image: Neil Necati) 'Customer bookings have fluctuated drastically this year and as a small independent business this is a frightening prospect, which we cannot easily ignore.'
The passionate business owner, who has been in the hospitality industry since the age of 13, says he is now in the process of considering what can be done to save the venue.
'We will start making changes in the latter part of the year and hope that we will provide something new for you our customers to enjoy,' he said.
