DETERMINED residents have launched a petition to bring a Wetherspoons pub to Canvey.

Islanders want the chain to take over the King Canute pub, in Canvey Road, which closed last summer, to stop it being turned into a convenience store.

An online petition, which was launched on Sunday, received nearly 300 signatures in just 24 hours.

Richard Bannister, 38, of Leigh Road, Canvey, who launched the campaign, said: “This building is iconic on Canvey and has played a vital role in the island’s history. It is a landmark building and known by all on the Island.

“After the previous owners pulled out, the building is fast falling into dereliction, which would be a sad loss to the island.

“A Wetherspoons would revitalise the island and provide a much-needed family pub with affordable prices.

“Wetherspoons has a tradition of using landmark and underused buildings and restoring them to their former use or providing them with a new lease of life.

“This petition isn’t a demand, just a request for consideration for Wetherspoons to meet local people and see what a new pub would mean to us.”

London-based property developer Foundation Property and Capital bought the King Canute from the Stonegate Pub Company for £630,000 more than a year ago.

JDWetherspoon entered talks with the owners earlier this year, but later backed out.

It is now thought the Co-op is set to take over the building, which is operating as a makeshift shop, stocking cutprice household goods and tins of food.

Veteran Tory borough and county councillor Ray Howard has backed the petition.

He said: “Residents are very courageous for starting this initiative.

“I will give them all the support I can.

“The King Canute is very dear to me.

“It’s a landmark on Canvey and we don’t want to let it go. It’s becoming a complete mess.

“We’re a close-knit community and we will put up a good fight.

“I do understand pubs are closing, but this is in the middle of an urban area and would do well as a Wetherspoons.”

Foundation Property and Capital has not revealed solid plans for the future of the building, but has promised to retain its original features.

Peter May, Canvey Independent Party councillor for Central ward, added: “The King Canute has been there for as long as I’ve been on Canvey and I used to drink there when I was younger.

“I would definitley support it becoming a Wetherspoons.

“It is right opposite a Londis, so a lot of people are against it becoming a shop.”