A NATIONAL heritage organisation has recognised the positive work to protect and regenerate a historic Southend building since it was designated as "endangered".
The Victorian Society, which monitors the state of culturally significant listed buildings, last year added the Kursaal to its list of endangered buildings and called for more to be done to protect the former indoor amusement park.
The organisation has now pointed to work by Southend Council and the area's Labour MP to "secure a better future" for the building, which was built in 1901.
Heritage - The Kursaal is an iconic feature of Southend seafront (Image: Google Maps)
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Sitting on Southend's Eastern Esplanade, since the Rendezvous casino closed in 2020, the Kursaal has been left almost empty - with just a single Tesco Express remaining open.
Although owned by Southend Council. the building is currently leased to property firm AEW, which over the past year has worked with Bayo Alaba, Labour MP for Southend East and Rochford, to plan a way forward.
Determined - Bayo Alaba has pushed for the regeneration of the Kursaal (Image: Bayo Alaba MP)
Mr Alaba said: "The Kursaal's state of idleness is deeply concerning to many local residents, myself included.
"A building like this sitting vacant is nothing short of a travesty. Worse still, it is sitting in a state of disrepair.
"One of my top priorities in office is to work collaboratively with AEW, Southend Council and other stakeholders, including the Victorian Society and Historic England, to reanimate this iconic building and restore it to its former glory.
"This, of course, involves pushing for repairs to be undertaken and I will continue to do so."
Historic - The Kursaal was opened in 1901 (Image: Charlotte Whybrow)
AEW has previously stated that it remains committed to working on plans for a "viable future" for the Kursaal.
The Victorian Society's recognition of the progress around the Kursaal comes as it calls for new nominations for its endangered buildings list, which highlights the most at-risk heritage properties across the country.
A spokesperson for the organisation said: "The council in Southend - which owns the Kursaal - has begun working with their local MP and the leasee of its building to secure a better future, involving the Victorian Society and key heritage funders."