A FORMER department store in Southend could soon become home to new student accommodation.

South Essex College has unveiled plans to turn the two floors above the former Ravens store in Clifftown Road into 22 student rooms.

The scheme would also see an additional storey added to the building.

The ground floor and first floor of Ravens was turned into a bar and restaurant in 2017 following the closure of the oldest family business in Southend.

But bosses have been forced to scale back the bar as a result of the Covid pandemic and are now only using the ground floor.

The owner has now submitted an application to Southend Council to build the student flats.

Read more >> Why Ravens department store in Southend closed after 120 years

If the application is approved, there will be apartments containing multiple bedrooms on all floors.

All the apartments will have a shared kitchen and social space.

In a letter supporting the application, South Essex College said: “The college is happy to confirm its support for the principle of additional student accommodation development.

“Historically students have been placed with host families, or the college has worked with the University of Essex to place students in its halls.

“In recent years, however, the university has indicated its own needs means spaces will cease to be available for college students. Hence for the college, and its students, alternative developments are critical going forward.”