PRESSURE is mounting on the company behind Southend’s Kursaal to do more to protect the facade of the seafront pleasure palace.

Tony Cox, Tory leader of Southend Council, spoke out after scaffolding went up on the Kursaal’s famous dome for “routine maintenance” and windows were boarded up.

However, Mr Cox says more needs to be done to protect the Grade II-listed building on Southend’s Golden Mile.

The Kursaal has stood almost completely empty since 2020, apart from a Tesco Express store.

London-based property group AEW has a 250-year lease on the 123-year-old building, which is owned by Southend Council.

Echo: Boarded up - scaffolding has been constructed around the Kursaal's dome.Boarded up - scaffolding has been constructed around the Kursaal's dome. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

The Echo understands the Edwardian windows have been boarded up to protect them from “strong winds” which have hit the site and damaged some of them.

Now, Tony Cox (pictured inset), leader of Southend Council, has vowed to pressure AEW to do more.

He said: “It’s one thing not to occupy the building, but they need to maintain the façade, which AEW is not doing.

“I don’t think boarding up the windows is acceptable, so I’m having discussions with officers to see what can be done about it.”

Mr Cox says AEW is responsible for “maintaining the visual appearance” of the Kursaal under the terms of its lease agreement.

He said: “It doesn’t appear well-maintained. I want to see it brought back into use.”

John Lamb, councillor responsible for regulatory services, holds the property portfolio.

He said: “The Kursaal is an important building. It’s certainly something that stands out. I would like to see it maintained in an acceptable condition.

“That does not include windows being boarded up.”

Echo: Landmark - the Kursaal has stood as an icon on Southend's seafront for well over a century.Landmark - the Kursaal has stood as an icon on Southend's seafront for well over a century. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

He added: “We’ve had a lot of gales blowing down there. Along with other stuff blowing around in the street, pebbles on the beach could be picked up and easily break a window.

“But they should only be boarded up temporarily, while maintenance work is taking place.

“I will have a word to make sure that is the case.”

A spokesman for AEW has been approached for comment.