A BRAND new bar and restaurant will open in Southend - in place of a 120-year-old department store.

Ravens Department Store, in Clifftown Road, closed in October 2017.

Plans to transform the department store into a large bar and restaurant had previously been approved, but now the Echo can reveal 'Ravens' will officially open on May 5.

The owners of the new venue are still unknown, but a Facebook page and website were launched at the start of this week, detailing plans to open.

The new bar and restaurant will feature a basement and ground floor bar, as well as a first floor restaurant and roof terrace.

Councillors across Southend previously spoke out in support of the plans, although disappointed to be losing the department store.

A post to the Ravens Bar and Restaurant Facebook page, said: "We are pleased to announce the opening of our brand new bar and restaurant on Saturday the 5th May.

"Featuring a basement bar, ground floor bar, 1st-floor restaurant and roof terrace.

"Our team of Chefs headed by Daniel Watkins are putting the finishing touches to the menus while our bar team are preparing a fantastic line up of exciting drink options.

"Food and drink lovers you are in for a treat and we look forward to welcoming you to this exciting addition to Southend On Sea's Restaurant and Bar scene."

Ravens Department Store announced plans to close in June last year before offically shutting its doors for the final time in October.

The store, which served the community for 120 years, was run by four seperate generations of the Raven family.

Neil Raven, who was the managing director, took the decision to close the store and retire.

Mr Raven previously cited competition from online traders as being a large element in his decision to retire.