A PETITION has been launched to make the historic pub where Southend United was founded into a community asset.

The Blue Boar, in Victoria Avenue, is a site that is etched into the city’s history, being the birthplace of the football club in 1906.

More than 400 people have signed a petition to safeguard the long-term future of the pub by making it an asset of community value.

While there is no threat to the future of the pub, punters hope the label will protect the watering hole for decades to come.

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

It also means if the asset comes up for the sale, community groups will be given the chance to make a bid to buy it.

Dee Curtis, the founder and a director of Urban Cure CIC has set up the petition.

She said: “The Blue Boar pub is an historical establishment that holds great significance for our city.

“We firmly believe that preserving such an establishment as an asset of community value is essential and we chose to support the Blue Boar because a lot of historic buildings have been lost.

“The Blue Boar pub continues to benefit the city of Southend. This will help us protect this landmark.”

The Urban Cure CIC is an organisation which is “dedicated to empowering and giving a voice to the residents of Southend in order to provide an opportunity to be heard”.

The organisation has been actively involved in a number of petitions aimed at safeguarding the long-term future of landmarks in Southend.

Alan and Michelle Gargate have been managing the site successfully since October 2017 and recently signed a new five-year lease.

In response to the petition, Michelle said: “We support the petition as it gives the pub added protection that it cannot be developed in the future like so many buildings around the city have been.

“The Blue Boar is a proper pub and has so much history, so we want to preserve that for future generations.”

To sign the petition, visit https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/save-the-blue-boar-pub-and-roots-hall-stadium