ELLIOTT Wright has announced he is closing his Costa del Sol restaurant and is returning to the UK.
The former TOWIE star, 45, is selling up his establishment Olivia’s La Cala in Marbella, to be near his older children Elliot Jr, 18, and Olivia, 16.
Named after his daughter, the fine establishment was known for hosting wild nights out for a plethora of stars including The Only Way is Essex favourites Ferne McCann and Elliot’s cousins Mark and Jess Wright.
Elliot’s project evolved into a destination restaurant that attracted celebrities, tourists, and expats with its lively atmosphere.
But the restaurant has also gone through its fair share of troubles, with the establishment attacked by vandals shortly after a bouncer was killed there two years ago.
Now, Elliot is taking the establishment to auction, with bids starting at €7.5million (£6.5million).
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The sale will include the freehold beachfront property, the trading business, and the Olivia’s La Cala brand and trademark.
Elliot, who shares three children with Sadie Wright, has now opened up on his decision to start afresh after a decade of successful business.
He said: “After 25 years in Spain, ten of those in La Cala de Mijas, I’ve decided it’s time for a change, a new chapter.”
Elliott, who was a part of The Only Way is Essex from 2010 to 2017, said in a video: “Hi everybody, I just wanna do a short reel just to explain that what’s in the news today is true. I am selling my beautiful restaurant Olivia’s. It’s been an amazing 10 years.
“I’ve loved every minute of it. We’ve got some fantastic memories we’ll take forever with us but I’m a family man, and, I’ve got 3 beautiful children with Sadie. Dolly who come along this year and I’ve got two elder children Olivia and Elliott.”
He added how his two children are soon to be based in London, and that his dreams of them taking the reins would not be happening.
Elliot explained: “I always assumed that their dreams would align with mine and they would take over the restaurant, but that’s not the case.
“Elliott’s been working on and off in the city for the last two years and wants to pursue that career.
“Olivia passed her GCSEs this year and she wants to carry that same path as Elliott, so it’s something me and Sadie have been talking about for the last 2 years, and we’ve decided we need to all be together.
“So we’re moving on. It’s a bold new chapter for us. And yeah, whoever is going to be the new custodian of Olivia’s, you know, wish him all the luck in the world. It’s been a great business for me for 10 years.”
Elliot continued: “This will be my last Christmas and New Year here. It’s just, it’s been fantastic. I don’t know who these owners could be.
“It’s got massive growth over the next 2 years. There’s potential to get to the beach soon. So I hope whoever takes it can take it on another level and do justice to it.
“It’s not for me to decide. I’ve decided I want to move to the UK, new business venture. I want to be around all my children and turn the page.
“I love Le Cala de Mijas. We’re going to holiday here all the time, so I’m not leaving. I’m always going to be here. It’s always going to have a special place in my heart, but that is the situation, so what you see in the papers is true.
“I’ve had a few people say, is it true, so I’m putting it out there, it is. That’s the situation, and I look forward to my new chapter with the children and the kids and Sadie in the UK.”
Olivia’s has been a reality star hotspot for some time, with Elliott’s former TOWIE co-star James ‘Arg’ Argent holding residencies.
Other ex-TOWIE regulars have also made their mark there, from Elliott’s cousins Mark and Jess Wright to Ferne McCann.
And Elliot acknowledged, like any major choice, it’s not one he and Sadie have reached without considerable thought.
He told the Mirror: “It’s been a difficult decision, something Sadie and I have discussed for a considerable time. Fundamentally, in my heart is my children – no matter what.”
Bidding is scheduled to open December 5.
In 2021, Olivia’s was victim to an arson attack, after which Elliott condemned the “scumbag” responsible for the blaze which gutted the Costa del Sol restaurant.
The TOWIE star rebuilt his restaurant from the ground up after it was destroyed.
And in 2023, offensive red graffiti was spray-painted at the front of Olivia’s La Cala by vandals.
Just days before, bouncer Jose Rafael Pisani Pardo, 55, died in a tragic incident at Olivia’s after reportedly being injured in a fracas.
Bodybuilder and personal trainer Jose, was declared brain dead and had a life support machine switched off after being left seriously injured, sources said.
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The dad-of-two is said to have hit his head as he crashed to the ground.
He was knocked unconscious and evacuated in a serious condition to a hospital in Malaga where he was admitted to intensive care before he passed away.
