The Kursaal first opened in 1901 and is reportedly the world's first entertainment park. It has been empty since 2020, and the building is in need of key repairs before reopening. According to major media reports, the Kursaal is due to be refurbished and reopened as a leisure venue.
Ownership of the lease of the Kursaal will be transferred from property group AEW to Star Amusements by the end of summer. Star Amusements runs multiple arcades, restaurants, pubs, and entertainment venues on the seafront. Southend City Council announced that Star Amusements will operate the Kursaal.
The Kursaal is woven into the story of Southend and for too long the Kursaal's future has been uncertain. Today we can say it has a credible local operator, a leisure vision for the building and a clear path to reopening.
Council leader Daniel Cowan said, 'The Kursaal is woven into the story of Southend and for too long the Kursaal's future has been uncertain. ' He added, 'The new operator has a strong record of building successful businesses here in Southend. They know the city.
' The Kursaal is a Grade II-listed building, and locals are enthusiastic about the news of its reopening. A new legal contract must be finalized before the Kursaal can reopen. The specific leisure activities or operations to be included in the refurbished Kursaal have not been announced.
The new operator has a strong record of building successful businesses here in Southend. They know the city. They believe in the city.
Labour MP for Southend East and Rochford Bayo Alaba noted, 'A building of historical significance and architecture. ' A local resident commented on Facebook, 'So glad that this iconic, Grade II-listed building has been saved... ' Another resident expressed hope for a mix of leisure activities, including live music and independent food outlets.
A building of historical significance and architecture. Great-grandparents met in the ballroom, children have grown up laughing in its arcades and bowling alleys, and countless memories made here connect generations across our city.
So glad that this iconic, Grade II-listed building has been saved... I was worried that it was going to be torn down, and flats built there.
Hopefully they will make use of all the different areas and have a ‘mix’ of leisure, which includes live music, independent food outlets.