Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is buying a luxury house on the former Shoebury Garrison site.
The Naked Chef star has snapped up the Beach House, a beautiful detached Victorian property on the seafront, for a figure believed to be in excess of £1million.
Jamie, 28, who has two young children with his wife Jools, has family ties to Southend through two uncles running pubs in Rochford district.
The Grade II listed building has a walled garden, three huge recreation rooms, five bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and an American-style walk in dressing room in the master bedroom.
A source said: "It is ultra-plush, ideal for a celebrity chef. There's a huge kitchen-come-family room with a walk-in larder and utility room." The source added: "I'm sure Jamie also liked the property because of its security.
"It has a walled garden and I understand he has been looking into CCTV and infra-red cameras. There's one acre of gardens and a magnificent view of the estuary."
Jamie's family have strong local connections with the Southend area, and two of his uncles are still publicans nearby.
Published Thursday, August 7, 2003
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