"IT is such a shame" - Residents have shared their sadness as a much-loved bar in Southend city centre will close its doors for the final time on Saturday night.

Revolution bar, in Queens Road, is planning to go out with a bang by hosting a huge party after announcing the news to loyal customers yesterday.

It is one of 12 Revolution branches that are closing across the UK as the chain scrambles to cut costs.

Staff, residents, and loyal customers have all been expressing their devastation, including DJ Joe White.

The 31-year-old said: “As a DJ in local area who has been a part of and now seen multiple clubs, bars and venues close such as Mayhem, Sunrooms, Talk, Chemelon, The Railway, I can only feel more sadness and worry about Southend.

“Revs was very welcomed to the area being a great establishment. I very much enjoyed DJing and running karaoke down at Revs. It is going to be missed.

“I also feel very sad for the staff who have always had a lot of love for the place and looked after everyone who passed by. Hopefully we don’t continue to see more places fall in the local area.”

Aaron Chesham, a former employee who left just a few weeks ago, added: “It is the end of an era. It was an absolute pleasure working there.

“It is such a shame to see it go. The customers made it special.”

The closure reportedly comes as Revolution Bars Group restructure the business and announce a number of closures across the UK.

Matt Dent, Labour councillor responsible for culture, business and tourism, said: “It is never what we want to see, a business closing in Southend.

“Revolution has been there for a while, which is sad, but I understand it is reflecting problems on a more national level.

“My thoughts just go out to the workers there who are clearly now facing a difficult time.

“I hope we will be able to get a new business in that unit quickly, as it is never good to have empty units which could be useful.

“It is a difficult time for the industry, and I don’t know what the answer is, but it is really sad.”

Revolution Southend will be hosting an “unforgettable” closing party on Saturday to mark the “end of an era”.