THE Kursaal may lay empty for some time to come following the shock news the Rendezvous Casino is to close.

The listed building, known for its brightly-lit dome, sits on a prominent site on Southend seafront.

The Kursaal is opposite a site earmarked for the £100million Marine Plaza development and a stone’s throw from the proposed £50million Seaway cinema and leisure scheme.

Now it appears the fate of the Kursaal may depend on whether the Seaway scheme goes ahead.

Ron Woodley, deputy leader of Southend Council, said: “The site is massive with acres of floor space.

“Even with my vision I can’t think what we could use it for but I think the company that owns the lease were aware that could happen before the pandemic.

“I think they are waiting for the Seaway development proposal to be decided to see what they want to do.

“They won’t want to leave it empty too long.”

Mr Woodley said whatever happens the building will remain safe. The Kursaal is owned by the council but leased to a private company.

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Mr Woodley said: “There is no danger of it being pulled down because it is listed and protected.

“It is in a good state of repair because the terms of the lease are that they have to keep it in good condition and it is inspected regularly by the council.”

Property expert Mike Gray, from Dedman Gray estate agents, said the size of the building makes it difficult to market.

He said: “It was originally a difficult space to find a suitable occupier for.

“The casino decided to open in Southend and at the time it was quite obvious it was the best location and it had the unusual benefit of lots of car parking.

“As for the current situation the first thing that springs to mind would be an alternative leisure opportunity that would benefit from trading near the seafront but which doesn’t need passing or walk-in customers.”

Mr Gray added: “It was always going to be a hard one because of the size. Maybe it would be more appropriate for the space to be divided into smaller units.” Last year, it was suggested the Kursaal should be a new museum for Southend.