AN empty Southend office block could be transformed into 60 apartments.

Essex House, on the corner of Southchurch Avenue and Southchurch Road, has been empty for almost a year after banking group Lloyds moved their business to Birmingham, resulting in the loss of almost 800 Southend jobs.

Estate agent Dedman Gray has had the 12-storey tower block on the market since last December, but its efforts to re-let it to a mixture of local and national firms have proved fruitless.

Mike Gray, of Dedman Gray, has now indicated that turning the building into 60 flats is a viable proposition.

He said: “In just three days, I had 14 prospective buyers come and see the site.

“One gentleman came from Manchester, another from Sheffield and I’ve met with several developers from London.

“They all have experience of working in areas that need regeneration.

“I’m increasingly trying to tap into this expanding market, because there’s a real need for these projects to happen and at the same time, we’re creating jobs and bringing investment into otherwise empty places.”

Essex House boasts nearly 51,000 sq ft of floor space, two lifts, parking for up to 130 cars and views across the town and estuary.

Mr Gray also suggested that, with its proximity to major public transport links, the building would be a good site for a hotel, or even student accommodation.

Anand Gopar, manager at Randalls Convenience Store, in Southchurch Road, preferred Dedman Gray’s initial option of a new employer moving in to the building.

He said: “We noticed a dip in trade after Lloyds moved out, lots of people used to come in to buy lunch.

“I do not think new flats would be a good idea. We would prefer more new people to be working there – it would give us more customers.”