Southend buildings lost to the bulldozers over the years

As we reflect on the demolition of Nazareth House and a former nursing home in Chalkwell Avenue - both to make way for retirement flats - we have raided the Echo’s archives to evoke memories of lost buildings over the years.

Sad - the demolition of the old Focus youth theatre (Image: Newsquest)The last council-run youth centre - Focus Youth Centre - was demolished to save £150,000

Many included were a welcome sight when the bulldozers moved in.

Danger - the old Farringdon stairwell (Image: Newsquest)The old Farringdon multi-storey car park in Southend was an example. An ugly building which many viewed as a danger after dark.

It was demolished for the new Forum library.

Magnet for vandals - Esplanade House (Image: Newsquest)

Esplanade House on Southend seafront - which stood empty for years and became a magnet for vandals was another building many were happy to see demolished.

Now a car park - the old Esplanade House on Southend seafront (Image: Newsquest)

Originally, there were plans for plush new flats but it is now the gasworks car park.

The old church in York Road was a sad end for the building and the loss of the old Focus youth theatre in Southend prompted angry responses from many.

Scroll down to see more photos from our archive

Going, going nearly gone - the Farringdon multi-storey car park (Image: Newsquest)Sad - the old York Road Methodist Church, Southend, demolished in 1998 (Image: Newsquest)