DEVELOPERS have hit back at a campaign to save a historic seafront pub, insisting it is beyond repair and cannot be restored.

The Stockvale Group, which also owns Adventure Island, hopes to transform the former Britannia pub, along Eastern Esplanade, Southend, into a fish and chip restaurant and flats.

Southend historian Ian Yearsley has started a campaign against the building’s demolition, stating it is of historical significance as it is more than 200 years old, is in the Kursaal conservation area and is listed as a building of historic importance.

Marc Miller, of the Stockvale Group, has given the Echo an exclusive look into the 18th century building in a bid to show how derelict it is and that it is in a major state of dis repair.

Mr Miller said: “It is dilapidated and structurally failing, hence why the structural engineers who have examined it have advised the only viable course of action is to demolish and start again.”

When asked if he felt the demolition could be stopped and the building saved and restored, he responded: “Structural engineers tell us it is beyond viable repair and we have to respect their expert opinion.

“The building is on the Local List so would appear it is deemed to be of historical importance - therefore we would be interested to know why it has never been inspected and why zero action has been taken to prevent it from becoming in such a neglected state?”

He said he hoped the demolition would take place “before it falls down”.

The proposal is to knock down the pub and build a four-storey building including a restaurant on the ground floor, with five flats above as well as a two-storey building at the back for two more flats.

The Britannia pub closed in March 2015. The application, submitted to Southend Council, states that 15 jobs would be created if the plans went ahead. The proposed opening hours for the restaurant are 8am to 11pm Monday to Friday, 8am to midnight Saturdays and 8am to 9pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Mr Miller added: “The proposed replacement building is highly decorative and reflects the bygone style of the seafront to enhance the setting of the Kursaal and nearby Eastern Esplanade Conservation Area.The plans meet the council’s aspiration for regenerating the seafront with a mix of commercial and residential uses.” In response to the historian’s campaign Mr Miller said: “What are Mr Yearsley’s qualifications? Has he ever been to the building? He has certainly never contacted us or our agents. Is he sure about the year it was built? We are happy to engage with any interested parties.”

Mr Yearsley said: “I have been in the building. I was in it as a customer before it closed and it looked OK to me. I have evidence which shows it dates back to around 1793.”