THE Kursaal dome has been a feature of the Southend skyline since 1901, but despite a multi-million pound revamp, once again it is falling into disrepair and neglect.

The majestic building has seen it all. It has welcomed families as an amusement park in an area that is now the Kursaal Estate. It thrilled visitors with its famous Wall of Death ride and its dance hall was a popular venue for a huge range of major rock bands.

It reopened in 1998 with high hopes it would become a magnet for local families.

The Kursaal had some initial success with a bowling alley, bar, McDonald’s and function rooms and latterly, a Tesco Express, but it now lies half empty and is in need of refurbishment once again.

The bar closed some years ago as did the McDonald’s.

More recently, the firm running the function room left and none of the other empty shops have been filled.

The council still owns the freehold, having sold the lease to the Rowallan Group for £650,000 plus a £100 annual rent in April 1998. In 2006, after extensive refurbishment, it sold it to Edgehill Portfolio for £16.1million.

Other seafront traders would like to see the building thriving once more.

Happidrome arcade owner Martin Richardson said: “The Kursaal was a world class amusement park.

“I’ve been trying to lease the unit next to Tesco where the old bar was for four years, but you can’t get hold of anyone.

“I’ve been trying to get an amusement arcade in there because I think the Kursaal should be a fun, family centre.

“The McDonald’s closed years ago and no one’s taken that over. It all seems weird.

“People come to Southend to visit the iconic building. It’s as much a part of Southend as the pier, the Golden Mile or the lights.”

Lib Dem councillor Graham Longley opened the newlyrefurbished Kursaal to great fanfare back in 1998 when hopes were high for the future of the building as a bustling family attraction.

He said: “The building was falling down until its redevelopment in 1998. They repaired and redid most of the building and extended it to the rear.

The reopening was a big night and our hopes were we would have a family entertainment centre for the people in Southend.

“The casino came later with a big opening and was another massive improvement. It was to have a whole range of things from the bowling alley to other activities and I think they achieved that for a long time. It didn’t continue, unfortunately.

It didn’t get as far as we would have liked and it’s a shame to see it back in he doldrums.

“Every building of this sort needs a bit of refurbishment every ten to 15 years.

“We would like to see the building refurbished with new activities”

Asked if he felt the council had got good value from the site after selling it for such a nominal sum, Mr Longley said: “The council continues to get good value from the Kursaal as a well-known building in the town – as well known as the pier. They are the icons of the town.

“It’s disappointing to see the state it’s in now and the council would be keen to help. It’s disappointing to hear prospective leaseholders for the units are not able get hold of the owners.”

Edgehill Portfolio declined to comment.

 

THE Kursaal, with its huge, eye-catching dome, opened in 1901 The word Kursaal is German, meaning a “cure hall” or spa, and it originally featured a circus, a ballroom, an amusement arcade, a dining hall and a billiard room.

The world’s first female lion tamer and the world’s first female wall of death rider both performed there.

Visitors could also marvel at American gangster Al Capone’s car and Eric a 60-ton stuffed whale.

“By the Dome it’s Known”

became a catchphrase around the country, representing Southend.

The Thirties saw a zoo open, while the top dance bands of the day performed at the Kursaal and Vera Lynn began her singing career there.

During the Second World War the ballroom was used as a NAAFI hall. The Fifties and Sixties were the Kursaal’s heyday, with regular broadcasts on radio and TV, while all through the Seventies. the dance hall was a regular touring venue for top rock acts, such as Deep Purple, Queen and Thin Lizzy.

It is also the place where Canvey band Dr Feelgood’s breathtaking performance film, Going Back Home, was shot in 1976.