BOSSES of a pub which is a Southend United fans’ favourite are preparing to hand over the reins to new owners.

New management for the Spread Eagle Pub, in Victoria Avenue, Southend is expected to be in place by the end of the month.

Current managers at the venue say the owners Star Pubs and Bars are drafting in the new owners.

And customers and community leaders say it must stay the same.

Kevin Buck, Conservative councillor for Prittlewell, said: “I would assume it’ll be for the recreation/sporting type of customers.

“I welcome anything that helps to regenerate the area and hopefully this will do that.

“I think it’s a nice attractive building so I do hope it doesn’t change too much and the owners respect this.

“I think it would be good for it to keep catering for the football fans, and think the new bosses will be aware of this.

“Anything that generates more business for the area has to be a good thing.”

David Anton, the man behind music event The Preview Club which has used the pub for almost three decades, said the new owners need to find a balance of usage.

He said: “The last few owners have been great and it’s a nice pub and it has improved a lot in recent years.

“I think it can be good to have a fresh face at the helm as long as the new bosses realise what the customers want to see.

“They must get the balance right, I think it would be good to have more live music.

“The pub used to be renowned for live music and bands as well as being a family venue.

“It was also used as more of a sports bar with lots of TVs, which is good but not everyone wants to see the sports all the time.

“They’ve been having open mic nights there and I went to one earlier in the week and it was great.

“I’d like to see more of this and more live music at the pub.”

In 2014, the venue underwent a £120,000 four-week revamp as the pub was being transformed by new tenant Kamil Augele and owners Punch Taverns.

Bosses promises that eight jobs will be created.

The pub is well known as a hot spot for fans of Southend United on matchdays.

The football lovers regularly attend the pub, with the stadium just a short walk away.

A pub spokesman said: “The current management is giving up the pub later on this month however it is believed someone new is taking over.

“The brewery who own it, Star Pubs and Bars can say more about this.”

A spokesman for Star Pubs and Bars said: “We are finalising agreements for a licensee to take over the Spread Eagle in Southend and will announce details in due course.”