A £1million Southend courtyard bar has been sold to the owners of Adventure Island.

The town centre bar, Clarence Yard, in Clarence Street, has been sold to the Stockvale Group, owners of Adventure Island and Sea-Life Adventure.

Clarence Yard was put on the market in August last year with a £1 million price tag, after its owner decided to rationalise his portfolio of popular bars and restaurants in and around the town’s High Street.

Seeing an opportunity to expand his own company’s portfolio, Stockvale Executive Chairman, Philip Miller, thought Clarence Yard would be an ideal addition to his business and leisure interests.

He said: “I bought it as part of Stockvale’s continuing policy of diversification away from just seafront activities.

“I love the building and have no wish to change its character at all. However, the bar has been open for over 20 years and I think the time is right for a complete refurbishment. I and my team want to make Clarence Yard look every bit as good inside, as it does outside.”

Work will begin on revamping the interior in the near future, although a completion date has not been announced or set.

Mr Miller added: “We do not intend to reopen until the inside has had a total overhaul, costing I don’t know how much as yet, but one heck of a lot, that’s for sure. Nor do we know how long the project will take and I’m not prepared to rush anything. Clarence Yard is an iconic location in the heart of Southend and I, like all the regulars love the place, that’s why we intend to make it a bar and restaurant the whole town can be proud of.”

The vibrant courtyard bar was built in the 1880s, originally as a bakery. The yard area was a loading bay and stables for horses.

Steven Kearney, a director at SK Architects, who are working on the project, said: “It is still very early. It closed just after Christmas and we have been in to survey the property.

“It is about keeping everything that is there, just tidying it up. It is a really important building and we want to bring it back to its former glory. It doesn’t need much work, it has just become a little tired and needs a lift.”

In recent years, Clarence Yard has been sensitively restored and renovated, with many key features of the original structure retained, including the vaulted ceiling and cobbled floors.

The Stockvale Group has a wide portfolio of businesses including Sands Restaurant, Feelgoods Pizza, Pasta, Play, the Three Shells Beach Café. It also owns and operates a number of commercial radio stations, including Radio Essex.