A Hertfordshire restaurateur has bought a long-established restaurant in Essex for a sum close to the £325,000 asking price.

Simon Chai is the new owner of Lucio’s Italian restaurant in Leigh-on-Sea. He intends to model it on his existing En Chai Malaysian/Thai restaurant in Barnet.

The property has traded as a restaurant for 30 years and as Lucio’s Italian restaurant since 2002.

The freehold site comprises a 60-seat open plan restaurant on the ground floor, with the first floor currently used for storage.

The Ipswich office of Christie & Co marketed the restaurant on behalf of former owner Lucio Priori.