Southend seafront pub to reopen

7:50am Saturday 2nd March 2013 in Local News

New owner Janet Hills New owner Janet Hills

A PUB which has stood empty on Southend seafront for almost a year has been reborn - with an emphasis on food as well as drink.

The Esplanade, which was going to be demolished and transformed into a posh hotel before plans collapsed, has been taken over by Janet Hills.

Janet, who also runs the Royal Hotel in the High Street, and the Castle Hotel in Eastern Esplanade clearly has pedigree and is on a mission.

She wants the venue to know for its food and simply stated: “I want to get people back into pubs.”

Property firm Renewals Southend has owned the pub in Western Esplanade since 2008, and after the plans for a hotel faltered, the business approached Mrs Hills to see if she would be keen to take it on.

Mrs Hills of Eastern Esplanade, Southend, said: “They came to me in September and asked if I wanted a challenge. I thought why not. I’m one for change and it’s such a big place! So many places on the seafront are derelict. The seafront needs a new eating place.”

Comments(14)

Carnabackable says...
7:56am Sat 2 Mar 13

Good luck, with it's prime location, and with the right management, this pub could be a goldmine, look at the nearby alternatives - there aint none

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yaymar says...
9:20am Sat 2 Mar 13

I hadn't even realised it had closed down!! It always looks like that way!

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pembury53 says...
12:08pm Sat 2 Mar 13

Good news.... The Esplanade has massive potential, and if the Royal Hotel is anything to go by, then this is the right person to give it a go...

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Keptquiettillnow says...
1:05pm Sat 2 Mar 13

Must be a great view watching all the HGVs trundle past back with all the cliff work going on, nice.

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maureen says...
1:30pm Sat 2 Mar 13

is mrs hills going to re-open the live musci sessions they used to have many years ago? free room hire but charge for electricity would be a good idea for up and coming musicians or comedians

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echoforum says...
6:19pm Sat 2 Mar 13

An unappealing dump.

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EssexPerson says...
9:18pm Sat 2 Mar 13

If its run like the Royal Hotel, expect drugs to be rife and unpleasant staff and customers.

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DogsMessInLeigh says...
10:36pm Sat 2 Mar 13

EssexPerson wrote:
If its run like the Royal Hotel, expect drugs to be rife and unpleasant staff and customers.
will there be singing sensations(inc Karaoke) like the Royal has..?...just take a stroll past on a sunny summer sunday....brilliant.

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Seasider90 says...
9:06am Sun 3 Mar 13

I dare say it'll be back to what it was if they attract the wrong clientele. I used to go there for a late night drink. Drugs and fights were rife. If they aim at the youngsters market trouble will follow. Offering good value food for families should have people flocking there especially in the summer.

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Letmetryagain says...
9:58am Sun 3 Mar 13

I hope she does well, but as others have said, it did have a "certain" reputation.

It should be popular with day trippers during the summer. As long as the food isn't too pretentious.

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sosad 1 says...
6:34pm Sun 3 Mar 13

this lot has ruined many a decent pub ie peter boat sutton arms the castle etc

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Carnabackable says...
8:12pm Sun 3 Mar 13

Apart from the mindless posts above, from some of the most critical Fu#kwits, ever to frequent a newspaper comments page, The Esplanade will hopefully be restored to it's former glory, I can just picture diners, by the balcony, and the place buzzing as patrons enjoy the views of the estuary.
Apart from the Castle, this place could easily become the hub of sophisticated, seaside dining, in the 21st century.

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thesouthendone says...
8:40pm Sun 3 Mar 13

Get Pearl Jam back for another gig, should pack it out.

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perini says...
9:57pm Sun 3 Mar 13

Carnabackable wrote:
Apart from the mindless posts above, from some of the most critical Fu#kwits, ever to frequent a newspaper comments page, The Esplanade will hopefully be restored to it's former glory, I can just picture diners, by the balcony, and the place buzzing as patrons enjoy the views of the estuary.
Apart from the Castle, this place could easily become the hub of sophisticated, seaside dining, in the 21st century.
You've finally convinced me that you are totally deluded!

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