A FORMER nightclub is set to be turned into a pub, restaurant and homes in ambitious new plans to reinvent a once iconic landmark.

London-based firm City Centre Management has submitted grand plans to transform what was the The Venue Bar in Alexandra Street, Southend.

The site has a long history, operating as Elements nightclub from 2009 to 2015 and Baker’s Bar before that.

READ MORE

At it’s height, Elements could pack in 1,500 clubbers over three floors, along with a smoking area in Market Place.

City Centre Management is seeking Southend Council’s approval to build a “mixed-use” pub on some of the ground floor, a restaurant across the rest of the ground floor and basement, and several flats in the upper floors above.

Ian Gilbert, councillor responsible for economic recovery and regeneration, said: “I think it is really good to see plans come forward to get this building back up and running and in use again.

“It’s a key site in Southend, which has a long history of entertaining residents and has been closed for too long now.

“Alexandra Street has been a big part of Southend’s nightlife for a long time, and it would be great to see a reimagining of that building.”

The property has been vacant since 2020 when it ceased operating as The Venue Bar.

Mr Gilbert added: “It’s a shame we have lost so many nightclubs over the years, but I look forward to seeing the plans for a restaurant and bar to develop.”

Planning documents submitted to the council do not clarify whether the “habitable accommodation” will be homes for sale.

The plans will have to go before the council, with previous proposals for the site being rejected through the years.

A first bid to turn the property into flats was refused in 2015.

Another application for the property was submitted in March 2016 to change the use of the ground floor to a retail space with the upper floors to become flats.

Permission was refused again due to concerns that noise from the commercial space would be disturbing to the flat occupiers.