Southend Alexandra Street bar set to be transformed

Proposals have been submitted to Southend Council for a licence to play live music and sell booze at the former Venue Bar – which has stood empty since 2020.

It comes amid a host of plans for the area including the opening of the new Moonlight Bar and Restaurant, as well as plans for a virtual golf bar, Bunker 19.

The nearby former Empire theatre, also in Alexandra Street, is set to be demolished and transformed into 27 flats and three shops.

The former Venue bar sits next door to the old Element nightclub, which was previously Baker’s Bar.

The site is currently being transformed with five flats above the building and Bunker 19 set to open next door to the new Moonlight restaurant.

The work has been welcomed by businesses in the area.

Fiona Foster, owner of By the Sea Vintage in Alexandra Street, said: “Empty shops are not good for business, and I would embrace anything or any trade because it will help us.

“It is further down from our business but the whole street is really thriving at the moment.

“Years back, nothing was really happening along Alexandra Street, now it’s diverse and has lovely street art which is done every year.

“Even if this is more an evening business, an empty shop does not look good, and people may worry about their shop front with younger people going to the new venue but I do not mind because it is closer to the high street anyway.

“It would be nicer to open more independent shops like ourselves but more shops and more variety on such a diverse street is excellent.”

Others have called for Alexandra Street to become a “shopping street” rather than a late-night venue selling alcohol.

Philip McNaughton, owner of Books-on-sea, added: “I would rather it be another shop, I do not care for nightclubs in this bit of town.

“This feels like a missed opportunity to create a new shopping street. From a business point of view, I would rather it was a similar business to our own.”

The licencing hearing will take place on March 21.