London businessman Shahed Ali has bought Anne’s Restaurant and Café in the coastal Essex town of Frinton-on-Sea.

The business (which was established in 1922) lies on the town’s main thoroughfare at 34-36 Connaught Avenue.

It has 80 seats for customers, two self-contained apartments above, an enclosed rear courtyard and a garage.

It will be run by Ali’s family in London under the current style but with the addition of Indian cuisine in the evenings.

The Ipswich office of Christie + Co sold the new, 20-year lease for more than the guide price of £150,000 on behalf of John Conway, who is building a restaurant and bar in Bali. Rent commences at £30,000 per annum.

By Angela Frewin