Elderly residents at Southend's last remaining Jewish hotel will soon be forced to leave as it closes its doors for the final time.

The Riverside Hotel in Cobham Road, has provided a home to five Jewish residents, some in their 90s, who lived there on a permanent basis for the last ten years.

Ross Farmer, general manager for Jewish Care in Southend, said: "The closure of this hotel is a great loss since many of the residents had been living there for so long.

"It's quite a traumatic time for them as some are elderly and have really come to rely on the services which were provided for them.

"They need to be around other Jewish people to enjoy the culture which can't now be guaranteed. The hotel also served kosher meals and other services which Jewish people need which may not be available in other places."

Southend's Jewish Care charity, a branch of a national charity based in Golders Green, London, moved swiftly to find alternative accommodation for the residents with help from Southend Council's housing and social services departments, added Mr Farmer.

He said: "The oldest resident was actually 99 years old. She's going to live with her son, who is himself 80, so you can imagine some of the difficulties we're facing. But we're pleased to say that accommodation has been found for everyone.

"Many of the residents' relatives have moved to London and some are unable to look after themselves, so we've had to work hard to place them."

The Jewish community has a strong presence in Southend, with 3,500 people, and the Jewish hotels provided a valued service to many residents who were elderly and unable to look after themselves at home, said Mr Farmer.

Other Jewish hotels to close during the last eight years, all in the Station Road area of Westcliff, include:

The Embassy Hotel

The Glen Hotel

The Redstones Hotel

Cobham Lodge.

The last resident will leave the Riverside Hotel on Monday.

It is not known why Riverside Hotel is closing, though it is understood around three weeks' notice was given.

The management refused to comment today (Monday).

By Chris Weeks

Reporter's e-mail: chris.weeks@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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