A CASINO at the Southend’s iconic Kursaal is to close for good because of the downturn caused by Covid-19.

The Rendezvous, one of three casinos in Southend, is now closed indefinitely, its owners have announced.

The move leaves the future of the old seafront pleasure palace shrouded in uncertainty because it now only has one tenant - Tesco Express. The bowling alley closed last year.

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Bosses at Caesars Entertainment, which runs the casino, say “difficult trading conditions” have forced their hand.

The building will only have a Tesco Express operating there.

Halstead Gazette:

Shut - the casino

A spokesman said: “Caesars Entertainment UK regret to announce that the casino will not be re-opening following the recent closure during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We have reluctantly taken this decision following difficult trading conditions in recent years and the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic will have on future business levels.

“We are grateful to our employees and suppliers who worked hard to deliver a great entertainment venue over the years and thank them following this difficult decision.”

Matt Dent, Labour councillor for Kursaal ward, said he was “gutted” for staff who had lost their jobs.

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He added: "The Kursaal is an icon of the town. It seemed to be popular amongst residents, who do have some excellent ideas of what could replace it.

“This now only leaves the Tesco as the only remaining lease holder. I hope this acts as a prompt to re-enter negotiations with the lease holder to pass it over to the council.”

James Vessey-Miller, manager of Southend’s Railway Hotel, in Clifftown Road, said: “Yet another tenant of the iconic Kursaal has, unfortunately, ceased trading. This leaves this vulnerable building with only one business left; the Tesco Express.

"Southend Council needs to rapidly develop a plan.”