In recent years all too many once-popular venues have been forced to close or rebrand, but happily some of south Essex's best-loved and most iconic venues are still thriving.

The Bread and Cheese pub in Benfleet has unveiled a £500,000 revamp this week, and Westcliff's historic Cricketers pub re-opened earlier this year with live music making a triumphant return.

This selection of pictures from the Echo archives features a variety of pubs as they once were in the 80s and 90s.

Echo: Then - the Sutton Arms, in Southchurch Road, Southend, in 1989Then - the Sutton Arms, in Southchurch Road, Southend, in 1989 (Image: Newsquest)

Some have been demolished, others remain in another guise, while a healthy number still look almost identical decades later - including Sutton Arms in Southend, now the Cow and Telescope.

Echo: Soft drinks only - Suzanne, Alan and Thomas Gloyne at the Broker, in Leigh, in 1995Soft drinks only - Suzanne, Alan and Thomas Gloyne at the Broker, in Leigh, in 1995 (Image: Newsquest)

TGF Churchills Bar and Diner, in London Road, Leigh, was home to Bellini Bar and Grill.

Echo: Eighties - TGF Churchills, in London Road, Leigh, in 1989Eighties - TGF Churchills, in London Road, Leigh, in 1989 (Image: Newsquest)

Meanwhile The Commodore, in Timberlog Lane, Basildon, was demolished in the early 2000s, with a block of flats, appropriately named Commodore House, now sitting in its place.

Echo: Community - the now-demolished Commodore, in Timberlog Lane, Basildon, in 1987Community - the now-demolished Commodore, in Timberlog Lane, Basildon, in 1987 (Image: Newsquest)

The transformation of the Grand, which welcomed guests on Leigh Broadway for more than 100 years until it closed in 2008,  is "nearly complete" with half its new apartments already sold, the site manager revealed in February.

Echo: All-change - Peers, in Rayleigh, is now a Hungry HorseAll-change - Peers, in Rayleigh, is now a Hungry Horse (Image: Newsquest)

What about the Cork and Cheese at the bottom of Victoria Plaza in Southend? A true real ale pub.

Echo: Real ale - Cork and Cheese at 'Windy City'Real ale - Cork and Cheese at 'Windy City' (Image: Newsquest)

This archive photo evoked memories among our Facebook readers this week. 

Guy Hurst said: "Cork and Cheese used to sell the best pint of Beamish! Such a good pub!"

Echo: Patrons - regulars outside the Chequers, in Canewdon, in July 1986Patrons - regulars outside the Chequers, in Canewdon, in July 1986 (Image: Newsquest)

Sam Jane added: "Loved the Cork and Cheese. Many good memories of my youth there."