We are set to begin a significant programme of conservation works at Southchurch Hall after securing £423,105 from Arts Council England's Museums Estate and Development Fund (MEND)
The essential works, which will begin next week, will help safeguard one of Southend's most important historic buildings and ensure it can continue to be enjoyed by residents and visitors for generations to come.
The project will include repairs to the Hall's roof and windows, masonry conservation, drainage improvements and refurbishment of visitor toilet facilities. Alongside these vital repairs, improvements will also be made to enhance the visitor experience at the site.
To allow the works to be carried out safely and efficiently, Southchurch Hall will close to visitors from 1 November and remain closed until the project is completed, provisionally in mid-2027.
Councillor Matt Dent, Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Business, said:
"Southchurch Hall is one of Southend's most treasured heritage assets and an important link to our city's rich history. We are delighted to have secured this significant investment through Arts Council England's Museums Estate and Development Fund, which will help protect this remarkable building for future generations.
"These are once-in-a-generation conservation works that will preserve the Hall's historic fabric while also improving the experience for visitors when it reopens. We appreciate the patience and support of residents, volunteers and visitors during the closure and look forward to welcoming everyone back to a renewed Southchurch Hall once the project is complete."
During the closure, Southend Museums will share regular updates, behind-the-scenes stories and progress photographs across its social media channels, giving residents a unique insight into the conservation work and the future of the historic site.
Southchurch Hall is a Grade I listed medieval moated manor house dating from the mid-14th century and built on the site of an earlier Saxon stone hall. Over the centuries it has served many purposes, primarily as a manor house surrounded by farmland, before later being restored and reopened as a branch library in the 1930s.
The building remained a library until the 1970s, when it was transformed into a museum. Since then, it has been cared for by Southend Museums and has become a much-loved part of the city's heritage offer.
The MEND-funded conservation project represents the next chapter in the Hall's long history, ensuring this unique landmark can continue to tell the story of Southend's past for many years to come.
Further information
- Images of Southchurch Hall can be found on our Flickr account.
- Visit the Southend Museums website. Southend Museums also have accounts on Facebook and Instagram, where updates about Southchurch Hall will be posted.