A CAMPAIGN is under way to safeguard and protect a beloved and longstanding music venue and pub by naming it as an “asset of community value”.

James Vessey-Miller, a former employee at the Railway Hotel in Clifftown Road, Southend, wants Southend Council to name the landmark pub as an “asset of community value” and to add it to the council’s list of historic buildings.

A building being granted the status an “asset of community value” means it is believed to be of importance to the communities’ social well-being.

It also means if the asset comes up for the sale, the community will be given the chance to make a bid to buy it, subject to it its continued use for community benefit.

Mr Vessey-Miller is fearful the pub may not re-open after it collapsed under “the weight of unbearable pressures and almost un-tradable circumstances” of the Covid pandemic, closing it’s doors in April last year.

However, its owners Star Pubs and Bars have insisted they are committed to re-opening the site.

Mr Vessey-Miller, who was manager of the venue said: “The Railway is a cultural icon to our city, and is an asset that cannot be lost in the same ways other significant venues are. We have reason to believe that this beloved pub is at risk of being lost forever.

“Currently the building, we feel wrongly, is neither listed on the national heritage list for England nor is it on the list of historic buildings.

“This means that there is currently no protection for this Public House in terms of conservation, architecturally or aesthetically, and as a result, there is little stopping an application of irresponsible development concluding in the loss of one of the city’s assets.”

Fans of the music scene and the venue also say it must be kept to honour its history of live music in Southend.

Westcliff resident Adam Ball, 47, of Shakespeare Drive said: “I think if it can used as an asset to the community that’s got to be a good thing. It cannot not be a bad thing to get it back in use again.

“I have been there a few times and haven’t DJed there for an event in the past too. It’s an important building for music and is part of the city.

“I think it’s part of the fixtures and fittings of the city and it’s been there such a long time, to see it put back into use would be a great thing.”

He said there’s a potential risk Southend could lose an important music venue. He said what makes the city is the live music venues and scene.

Former owners Fi and Dave Dulake who held the leasehold of the business for just under 13 years also threw their support behind the calls to save the pub.

They said: “We were sad to see it close down and any future of it being a music venue and community hub would be a great thing. We give our full support to efforts to preserve it staying open. We look forward to going back to the pub when the doors re-open.”

Paul Collins, councillor responsible for asset management and inward investment, said: “We welcome applications for listing assets of community value in Southend and always assess each on its own merits.”