THE community gathered to say a fond farewell to a well-respected restaurateur and councillor.

The family of Paul Van Looy has thanked residents, friends and dignitaries for joining a service at Southend Crematorium and gathering in the town last Thursday.

Kind-hearted community members are now fundraising for a memorial bench in honour of Mr Van Looy.

A family spokesman said: “The funeral went ahead as planned but was smaller than expected for the safety of people due to the coronavirus outbreak.

“We’d like to thank everyone who came to the service and those who gathered in Cluny Square, Southend to pay their respects.

“We’d also like to thank John Lamb, mayor of Southend and Ian Gilbert, Southend council leader for attending.

“St Luke’s Ward Community Association kindly decided to place a bench in Eastern Avenue, Southend.

“There is a contributions box in the community cafe in Cluny Square.”

Mr Van Looy, non-aligned councillor, at Southend Council for St Luke’s ward and restaurant and fast food business owner passed away in the early hours of Sunday, March 1 after a battle with cancer.

Mr Van Looy owned Van Looy’s Fish and Chips, Clifftown Road, in a former Chinese takeaway.

He had also opened and sold nine chip shops and owned Dingles Sandwich Bar, in Queen Street.