A SEAFRONT pub believed to be the smallest in Essex has permanently shut and could be transformed into a takeaway.

Fresh plans have been submitted to Southend Council to change the use of the Cornucopia, in Marine Parade, from a pub into a food takeaway - however finer details are yet to be announced.

The building dates back to the 1850s when it was used as an inn, and has been an iconic pub in the city for decades.

John Remblance, who owns the pub and a series of arcades on the seafront, purchased the pub in 2022 and oversaw a £13,000 revamp.

However, bosses behind the pub have admitted “pub’s aren’t doing great at the moment” and the decision was made last month to close the pub for good.

A spokesman for The Cornucopia said: “In a nutshell, pubs aren’t doing great at the moment.

“The Cornucopia wasn’t going great. So, we had to make a decision to try and bring something else to the seafront.

“It wasn’t a decision taken lightly to close it, but sometimes these things need to be done and new adventures need to be taken.”

In 2022, it was suddenly closed down in mysterious circumstances with workmen seen on site pulling down its signage.

However, soon after it was purchased by Mr Remblance, who re-opened the pub after a £13,000 revamp.

The refurb included new decor, future, and flooring.

Under plans to transform the site into a takeaway, the outside of the pub would remain unchanged.

According to the plans the proposal would involve mainly internal finishes and decoration.

A spokesman added: “It is important to the city to keep the sites character and its identity.

“We are trying to keep that within the plans.

“It is too early to say about the sort of takeaway. We need to get past the planning stage, and once we have the decision from the council side, and go from there.”