A POPULAR Southend town centre pub has been put up for sale.

The Dickens in Luker Road has been listed on property website Rightmove for sale at £600,000.

The venue is just off Southend High Street, outside Southend Central train station.

The leaseholder, who asked to remain anonymous, said he was not aware of any sale.

Estate agents, Treewood, said the pub was being sold with the tenant remaining – but was unable to make any further comment.

Councillors and residents said they hope the new owners keep it open and continue to make it a success.

Westborough ward councillor Kevin Robinson, the cabinet member for business, culture and tourism, said: “It sounds like the parent company is selling to someone else.

“It is a very well known and popular pub and I don’t know of any issues there at all.

“I hope the new owners can continue the business and that it is just business as usual.

“I have been there with friends and colleagues to watch sport including rugby and have also been involved in functions and events at the pub.

“It has fairly well organised door staff working there.

“I think residents and traders will agree it’ll be great to see business continue as usual.”

Mr Robinson said he wishes any new owners all the best with running the pub.

He said the council wants to see venues such as this, where there are no known issues, continue to succeed.

He said it follows a number of applications for new restaurants in the town centre from chains including Turtle Bay.

Concerned residents are keen to see the pub stay too.

Carol Tilley, 45, of Southend, said: “I’ve been to this pub so often with friends and family members.

“They hold great events and the food is fabulous. I think it shows pub operators see the High Street as a good investment.

“During a time when the High Street is suffering it shows companies are showing interest in the town.”

It opened as the Dickens in April 2017 and was the Dickens Inn before O’Neill’s took over more than a decade ago.

Last January the Echo reported how pub bosses closed the pub’s doors temporarily due to“crippling” business rates.