A HISTORIAN is campaigning to save one of Southend’s most historic buildings from demolition.

The former Britannia pub, in Eastern Esplanade, which is more than 200 years old, is in the Kursaal conservation area and is listed as a building of historic importance.

But earlier this month it emerged the Stockvale Group, which owns Adventure Island, wants to knock down the building and replace it with a fish and chip restaurant and flats.

The pub, which closed last March, dates back to the early 19th century.

Historian Ian Yearsley, 51. is devastated at the proposal, feeling it would be a huge loss to Southend heritage so has started a campaign to stop its demolition.

He said: “I was quite shocked to be informed the application has been submitted. The whole borough of Southend started as a small oyster fishing hamlet and The Britannia is one of the buildings left from that hamlet.”

The campaign already has the backing of 1,400 social media users who want the building saved.

Mr Yearsley, from Eastwood, added: “I started by emailing the developers to ask if they would work with me to find a solution without demolishing the building. I also contacted the South Essex Building Preservation Trust and they shared my concern about the loss of the building.

“We’ve already been successful in raising awareness and getting people to object to the application and as a result of that the application now has to be discussed at the development control meeting.

“Hopefully councillors will recognise the importance of the building to the heritage of the town and take the necessary steps to prevent its demolition.”

The building was constructed in 1793 and is the 40th oldest building in the borough.

The historian said: “Over the decade Southend has lost far too much of its heritage and it would be a tragedy to lose the Britannia as well, which is why I have decided to take action.

“Ideally it would be restored as a pub as it’s been a public house since the 1840s. If another suitable use could be found, such as a restaurant, that fits in with Southend I would be open to that.”

Julian Ware-Lane, Labour councillor for Milton Ward, added: “In a nutshell it’s an old historic pub amongst the oldest in that particular part of Southend and that makes it worthy of preservation.

“There’s also the aspect of another community pub lost. It’s an old historic building in a part of Southend where we are losing old and historic architecture, it’s the area where visitors come.”

The Stockvale Group claims the original building is beyond repair due to structural damage.

A spokesman said: “We purchased the Britannia in 2015 with a view to turning the building into a high quality family fish and chip restaurant. However a structural report revealed that the existing building was far beyond repair, and the structural engineer has condemned the building.

“Our proposal replacement building is highly decorative and nostalgic, to both embrace and reflect the heritage of Southend seafront, the nearby Kursaal and the fisherman cottages further along Eastern Esplanade.”