Visible progress is being made on the restoration of Southend's iconic Kursaal building, with major external repair works now underway on the landmark dome.
Scaffolding has been erected around the Grade II-listed structure, enabling specialist repair works to commence as part of a wider programme to safeguard and restore one of the city's most recognisable heritage assets.
The works follow the appointment of Star Amusements as leaseholder earlier this year and form part of a phased programme focused on stabilising the building, undertaking structural and heritage surveys, and developing long-term plans for its future.
Much of the activity carried out to date has taken place within the building and has not been immediately visible to the public. The commencement of external works marks an important milestone in efforts to address the building's condition and support its long-term preservation.
Councillor Matt Dent, Cabinet Member for Business, Culture, Music and Tourism at Southend-on-Sea City Council, said:
"It's encouraging to see visible progress being made at the Kursaal following many years of uncertainty about the building's future.
"The Kursaal is an important part of Southend's heritage and a prominent feature of our seafront. These works represent a positive step towards securing the future of this historic landmark and bringing it back into active use.
"We welcome the progress being made by Star Amusements and look forward to seeing further developments as the restoration programme continues."
Originally built between 1898 and 1899 and opened in 1901, the Kursaal remains one of Southend's most significant historic buildings. The current programme of repairs aims to preserve the structure while supporting plans for its future as a leisure and entertainment destination.