Skip to content

Take a look inside this endangered Grade II venue

Stuart Woodwardin Southend-on-Sea
Stuart Woodward/BBC The interior of a Victorian theatre, with its sandy coloured walls, looking up at a glass dome.Stuart Woodward/BBC
Stuart Woodward/BBC Inside the Kursaal building in Southend-on-Sea. This is the main entrance hall, with pillars around the side, white balconies and scaffoldingStuart Woodward/BBC
The Kursaal's iconic dome is even more impressive inside than from the building's exterior
Scaffolding has been installed in the main entrance hall, the floor of which features a star pattern

The iconic Grade II-listed Kursaal in Southend-on-Sea has seen a lot of things in its time - from hosting rock legends like Queen and AC/DC, to being a zoo, a bowling alley and even the first home of Southend United football club.

Closed since 2020, it has fallen into disrepair and was placed on the Victorian Society's list of the most endangered buildings in the country.

But the Kursaal now has a new leaseholder, which aims to turn it into "a high-quality, family-focused leisure and entertainment destination".

The BBC was invited for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the work required to bring the Kursaal back into public use.

Stuart Woodward/BBC The entrance to the bowling alley, surrounded by a red-painted wall. KURSAAL SPORTS BAR is printed above the doors.Stuart Woodward/BBC
Stuart Woodward/BBC Inside the bowling alley in the Kursaal. It is a large room with white ceiling tiles, blue patterned carpet and blue pillars.Stuart Woodward/BBC
The bowling alley was one of the Kursaal's last attractions before it closed in 2020
The bowling lanes have long since been removed...

The Kursaal's impressive dome dominates the main entrance hall, with its stained glass panels mostly still intact.

But the effects of water damage can be seen around the building, with holes in ceilings and floor panels.

Structural concerns are the key priority for the new leaseholder, Remblance Leisure Limited, which is led by Southend-based operator Star Amusements.

"We understand that for Southend, it's an iconic building that needs a lot of TLC," said Nick Singer, operations director at Star Amusements.

"We're really keen to get this open [but] it will take as long as it needs to."

Singer said he hoped the repair work would be completed in "a good couple of years" but that it would take "as long as it needs to".

The leaseholder said that once reopen, the Kursaal would be "leisure-focused with bars, restaurants and music, all under one roof".

Do you have a story suggestion for Essex? Contact us below.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

More on this story
Related internet links