The Miller and Carter Steakhouse has sunk even deeper into the water at the Lakeside shopping mall

A stricken paddle steamer, home to a popular steak restaurant, that began to sink in Essex last month has fallen further below the waterline, dramatic new images show.

The floating Miller and Carter Steakhouse at Lakeside Mall in Thurrock began sinking in the site’s lake on December 23 as employees prepared for lunch service.

A Miller & Carter spokesman said a structural assessment of the ship would take place this month. This has yet to be done.

The partial sinking left dozens of Christmas guests disappointed as all bookings were canceled and the restaurant closed.

Barriers have now cordoned off the entrance to the restaurant, although no workers could be seen on site during the recordings for MailOnline yesterday.

A stricken paddle steamer, home to a popular steak restaurant, that began to sink in Essex last month has fallen further below the waterline, dramatic new images show

The images show how the entire ground floor of the restaurant is now submerged several feet in water

They show how the entire ground floor of the restaurant is now several meters under water.

Last month the front of the restaurant was above the waterline but has now slipped below the surface.

A sign on the barriers blocking off the gangway reads “Please excuse our arrival” and adds: “We are working hard to resolve this issue and hope that everything will be sparkling clean shortly.”

‘Thank you for your understanding.’

Last month the front of the restaurant (above) was above the waterline but has now slipped below the surface

A sign on the barriers blocking off the gangway reads “Please excuse our arrival” and adds: “We are working hard to resolve this issue and hope that everything will be sparkling clean shortly.” Thank you for your understanding’

Pictures taken yesterday show the restaurant’s ground floor now submerged in at least two feet of water

The restaurant was seen sinking in the lake, which is about 50 feet deep, around 11 a.m. on December 23.

A viewer who posted video of the sinking venue shared how it’s “sinking like the Titanic”.

Excited children gathered by the waterfront to catch a glimpse of the sinking restaurant.

Customers complained on social media that they had to make different arrangements for Christmas Day.

Izabella Barcikowska, 48, the manager of nearby Las Iguanas restaurant, said at the time: “I looked out the window and all of the Miller and Carters employees were on the boardwalk.

“I look over and the restaurant sank into the water. At first it leaned to the right. Now it leans to the left. It’s completely flooded.”

Another new image shows the water level in the stricken steakhouse, which is to be examined by experts

At least two feet of water now covers the first floor of the restaurant. Above: The ship pictured yesterday

No workers could be seen at the site when pictures were taken yesterday. Billboards still show “celebratory” menu options

The stern of the paddle steamer can be seen above in a picture taken for MailOnline yesterday

The Miller and Carter Steakhouse can be seen yesterday with water levels now higher than last month

The area in front of the Steakhouse’s entrance can be seen submerged in water above

Lakeside Mall director Howard Oldstein said after the restaurant began to sink, staff waited for the ship to set its “natural course” before assessing what action needed to be taken.

A spokesman then told the Thurrock Gazette in late December: “Our first priority was to update guests who had bookings to eat with us and an assessment of the structure will then follow in the new year.

“As you can imagine, it is difficult at this time of year to get the specialist help that may be needed, so the picture will be clearer in the new year when normal business operations resume.”

MailOnline has reached out to Miller and Carter for comment. A spokesman for Lakeside Mall said the structural assessment is pending.

The paddle steamer that houses the restaurant has been a Lakeside staple since at least 2007.

The Miller and Carter Steakhouse was featured in pictures yesterday showing water now covering the ground floor

The gangway leading to the boat was sealed yesterday after last month’s incident

It’s not clear if the restaurant will reopen or remain permanently closed. Above: The ship yesterday

Outdoor seating can be seen mostly submerged along the side of the ship in a picture taken yesterday

It was purchased by Miller and Carter who renovated it and opened their venue in 2019. Before it changed hands, it was a restaurant in Old Orleans.

Lakeside development was completed in 1990 on a former chalk quarry.

Quarries spanned the area throughout the 20th century and later filled with water to become lakes. That’s where Lakeside got its name.

The paddle steamer has been a Lakeside staple for years, but was purchased by Miller and Carter, who refurbished it and opened it in 2019.

It has been there since at least 2007 and was previously a restaurant in Old Orleans.

Lakeside construction was completed in 1990 on the site of a former chalk quarry, many of which spanned the area in the 20th century, leaving canyons behind.

Many of the ravines filled with water and became lakes, such as the lake next to Lakeside itself – from which the mall takes its name.

The paddle steamer has been a Lakeside staple for years, but was purchased by Miller and Carter, who refurbished it and opened it in 2019. Above: The ship before the incident