ONE of Southend’s most prominent pubs has closed for a £365,000 facelift.

The White Horse pub, in Southchurch Boulevard, has been bought by the Spirit Pub Company and will reopen as a Flaming Grill pub and restaurant on Friday, November 3.

Emphasis is on keeping the pub’s current features, such as its pool table, sports TV area and popular quiz nights, but the revamp will add a brightlycoloured Flaming Grill restaurant area.

Thirty-two new jobs are also being created and a recruitment event will be held tomorrowat the Kursaal Function Centre, at 11am.

Chris Gorton, Flaming Grill investment manager, said: “My team and I are really excited about the new features of the pub, especially the new menu. We’re sure regulars and new guests alike will be impressed with the improved look and feel of the White Horse.

“It will be a pub that does great food and will still have all the things the White Horse had before. The dining area will be in the orange-themed Flaming Grill colours.

“We are also revamping the outside, including the garden area and terrace so there will be safe areas for children to play.”

The restaurant will serve family- friendly grub with steaks starting from £5.99, but the challenge menu will not be ideal for the fainthearted.

The three challenge meals on the menu are the challenge burger, which in addition to a burger has chicken, chilli, onion, bacon and cheese, a 32oz steak, and the trash can challenge – an inverted bin lid filled with gut-busting delicacies, including a rack of ribs and burgers and chips.

Mr Gorton added: “Anyone who manages to finish one of our challenge meals will have their picture taken and posted on our wall of fame, along with a certificate.

“The pub is in a great spot in the middle of a residential area and near a main shopping area and church, so we are confident it will be really popular.”

The pub will have new furniture and kitchen equipment and steaks and grills will be served on sizzling skillets.

Mr Gorton added: “I am on the look-out for enthusiastic, hardworking individuals with a passion for great food who w