Miller & Carter restaurant sinks into water as people forced to evacuate

Members of the public have been left stunned after a steak restaurant in Essex began to sink into a surrounding lake.

Social media users have shared images online of the baffling scene which was first spotted this morning (23 December) at Lakeside Shopping Centre.

The restaurant is located at Thurrock Lakeside on a historic Mississippi paddle steamer, and has earned itself the rating of the fourth best restaurant in Grays on Tripadvisor.

Some customers had planned to visit the location for a meal on Christmas Day, but the alarming images emerging from the scene have caused some to wonder whether they should start making other plans.

The Miller & Carter steak restaurant could be seen in images leaning alarmingly to one side, with part of the building submerged beneath the water located by the shopping centre. Staff are reported to have been evacuated as a result of the issue.

Joe Fitzgerald

After spotting the scene, one Twitter user tagged the restaurant and wrote: "'I have a photo suggesting the Miller and Carter paddle steamer at Lakeside, Thurrock has sunk! Please can you confirm so we can make other arrangements for Christmas Day!!?!?!"

Another commented: "Miller and Carter Lakeside, Looks like my family meal is cancelled!"

Another of the chain's restaurants located in Langdon Hills, Basildon is reported as having shared a statement referencing the apparent sinking of the eatery this morning.

In a post on Facebook, the company wrote: "We are aware of the current situation at Miller and Carter, Lakeside, if you have a booking with them today please give us a call on 01268 544714 or follow the link below to book your table at Langdon Hills instead.

"We will answer as many calls as we can to accommodate you. Please do not try and call Miller and Carter Lakeside at this time as they are working hard to try and rectify this situation.

"Thank you and sorry for any inconvenience"

Lakeside Shopping Centre

Lakeside Shopping Centre describes the steak restaurant as being 'located on a moored boat' and 'specialising in expertly-cooked West Country steaks, plus sides, beers and wines served in elegant surroundings'.

Miller & Carter is one of a number of eateries at the popular shopping centre, which is also home to chains such as Pizza Express, Wagamama and Nandos.

The shopping centre also houses a number of clothing brands and beauty stores as well as bowling, a cinema and mini golf.

LADbible has reached out to Lakeside Shopping Centre and Miller & Carter for comment.