A NATIONAL bar chain is stepping up its efforts to revive Southend's former HMV store.

New Inventive Bar Company Ltd, which runs Revolution Vodka and Revolucion de Cuba rum bars across the country, is promising to invest a “significant sum” into refurbishing the unit in Queens Road, which has been empty for seven years and is in a state of disrepair.

The Echo first revealed the popular chain was set to open in the town earlier this month.

A planning application has been submitted to Southend Council to covert the sizeable building into a bar, opening until 2am every Friday and Saturday, and 1am on Sunday's.

It will also serve food, and feature an outdoor dining area.

In a planning statement, a spokesman for the chain, which runs about 70 bars across the country, said: “This new bar will bring the unit back into productive, economic use that will contribute to the vitality and vibrancy of Southend town centre.

“The shopfront presents an unsightly and unsympathetic appearance which detracts from the character and appearance of the wider area.”

The spokesman added that, as Revolution is located in a shopping area, the impact on residents of Queens Road will be small.

Tory Jonathan Garston, who represents Milton ward, is not so sure.

He said: “Regeneration of the High Street is welcomed, and I’m pleased with this, as the last thing you want is a business empty for a long time.

“But I will be looking carefully at the license and application in terms of residents and businesses that might have their quality of life affected.”

A mix of full and part time jobs will be created.

With criticism about Southend's nightlife dwindling, the bar has been welcomed by nightclub owner Dick de Vigne

He said: “With nightclubs closing down in the town, it is less appealing for people to go out, so a big name company moving in is good news.

“It might make us jump on our toes a bit more and think about what we were providing.”