A NEW pub and live music venue has opened its doors and owners are hoping to return it to its glory days as a popular drinking spot in the high street.

The Dickens, formerly O’Neill’s in Southend High Street, is a traditional English pub with its very own live music lounge upstairs.

The pub, which was the Dickens Inn before O’Neill’s took over more than a decade ago, was opened by three businessmen, all born and raised in Southend who were keen to return it to its former style.

Chris Endicott, 48, used to go to the pub in the Seventies and even met his wife there so couldn’t turn down the opportunity to take over the venue.

The businessman, who also owns Britannia Safety, in London Road, said: “We heard on the grapevine that this venue was available and I had been looking for somewhere to run live music nights for a while, so it was perfect really.”

Mr Endicott runs the pub with two partners; George Sutton, who has run several pubs in the area including the Falcon on the seafront, and Jim Lawrence who owns Elite Media and will be running the music venue side.

Mr Endicott added: “These days, if you’re 18 to 25 there is plenty of choice for a night out in town but I’m 48 and find I have to fit in with them and there’s nowhere for older people.

“So what we’re trying to do is return the Dickens to its roots as a good old-fashioned British pub but with a live music venue upstairs.

“O’Neill’s had just got a bit stale and with Revolution opening up and Wetherspoons round the corner, we think we offer something a bit different.”

The pub on the ground floor is open until 12pm while the music venue, used on Fridays and Saturdays, stays open until 2am.

Mr Endicott said: “Upstairs is called the Lounge and during Saturday and Sunday daytimes will be showing live sport on a giant screen.

“During the evenings it will have a mix of live music and comedy supporting both headline acts and local talent, as well as quality DJs.”