Owners of Southend’s smallest pub are insistent that it is completely “unviable” and needs to change use to help “benefit the seafront.”

The iconic Cornucopia pub at the corner of Hartington Road, Southend was permanently closed in January with plans to transform the pub into a takeaway, which are understood to have made no progress since announced.

Despite insistence by owner John Remblance, who purchased the pub ins 2022 and oversaw a £13,000 revamp of the pub, that the iconic frontage of the pub would not be touched – progress around securing a change of use on the building has stalled.

Management is insistent that the pub is completely unviable, in a current climate where “80 pubs are closing in a month.”

A spokesman for Star Amusements said: “We are being told we cannot change the use of our building and that a pub is wanted, but nationally pubs are closing at the rate of 80 a month.

“What we are trying to do is improve the seafront for people, what we want to offer just isn’t there for the people to take, a food and drink spot.

“We aren’t dismissing alcohol either, why can’t you have a burger and a beer for instance?”

They added that with Revolution Bar closing, it demonstrates the changing market and additionally why a move away from a pub is wanted.

However, Labour cabinet member for planning, Anne Jones, believes the stall in progress is due to a difficult business case surrounding the limitations of the Cornucopia.

“There is limited space in the building which can limit the offer being made, this situation is more of a business matter than anything around planning or conservation.

“Nearby pubs are operating but the size of the building limits it, it is a stunning place but the owners need to look at the previous decisions made by the council.

“It is in their rights to deem it another use, it is not cheap or easy to run a pub but the business cannot be profitable to the degree they need.

“It also must be proven that it has been marketed elsewhere as a pub, it just isn’t moving forward.”