THE iconic Kursaal building in Southend has been officially listed on a register of heritage sites at risk.

English Heritage today launched its Campaign to Save Neighbourhood Heritage, with the aim of safeguarding 9,300 conservation hotspots nationwide.

The latest edition of the organisation’s annual Heritage at Risk register, reveals one building in seven on the list – including the Kursaal – is at risk of neglect, decay or damaging change.

The Southend seafront landmark is one of the town’s most individual and historic buildings, but remains only partly used.

It was revamped in 1998, after years of dereliction, but several parts of the building remain unoccupied and one area may soon become a Tesco Express convenience store.

The English Heritage campaign aims to get residents, local groups and councils working together to help save sites of national importance.

English Heritage surveyed every all local authority in the region via a questionnaire covering each of its conservation areas. More than 63 per cent of councils responded.

Roger Fisher, former chairman of the Southend Seafront Illumination and Business Association, said: “This list could be a good thing, because there must be lots of buildings which have a lot of historical interest throughout the country.

“If the Tesco application goes ahead, it will be an extremely sad day for the Kursaal.

“The Kursaal has an awful lot of heritage within the leisure and entertainment areas and for part of its main frontage to become a Tesco would be extremely sad.”

Greg Luton, Eastern Region director for English Heritage said: “These findings require action.

“In the East of England, the problems are often to do with the loss of buildings’ historic details, damage to the streetscapes and empty buildings.

“Our immediate priority, therefore, is to target those areas at greatest risk, and those with the greatest potential to improve the quality of life and economic prospects of people in our villages, towns and cities affected by the current downturn.”