Tang’s Chinese buffet in Southend closes

Tang’s, an all-you-can-eat restaurant in Southend High Street, has been closed since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and the future of the business remains uncertain.

Doors to the oriental buffet have remained closed with only a small notice on the window explaining that it’s closed due to the pandemic. Many local people and visitors to Southend have wondered whether the restaurant will ever open its doors again.

Tang’s was first opened in Southend in 2016 above Metro bank, in the Victoria Shopping Centre. The oriental buffet restaurant offered a range of cuisines including Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Malaysian, Singaporean and Thai dishes.

The management company of Tang’s has links to several other oriental buffet restaurants around the UK, operated by ‘H J Tenger’.

The other buffet restaurants linked to Tang’s include Song’s buffet in Chelmsford and Kungfu buffet in Saines, both of which eventually reopened in 2021.

Another branch of Tang’s buffet restaurant in Bracknell also finally reopened in June 2021. However, a further Tang’s branch in Slough remains closed like the Southend restaurant.

The Southend restaurant was run by a company called ‘Fatface Operation Limited’ which filed for liquidation on 21 April 2021, suggesting the buffet will not be reopening under the same owners.

A statement from the company at the beginning of the pandemic read: “With the fast upswing of COVID-19 cases across the country, our pledge as a company to all our customers and staffs is to comply with the advice and the steps announced by the Government and the health authorities to avoid all social contact including restaurants.

“Out of considerable caution and concern for the health and well-being of the community, we have taken the decision to temporarily close our restaurant until further notice to help contain the spread.

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and follow all Government guidelines stringently. Because the safety and well-being of our customers remains our top priority. Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to welcoming you back soon.”