Demolished Empire Theatre in Southend could be turned into flats

A former theatre in Essex could become a block of flats, according to a planning application submitted to the local council. The former Empire Theatre in Southend was demolished in 2017, and earlier this year, an application was submitted to turn the building into a block of flats.

The site is located on Alexandra Street, just off the city centre's high street. According to the supporting documents, the building was made of brown brick around four storeys in height.

But the building had an even longer history as the Rivoli building, which was also used as a cinema. Now, the area where the building used to be is barren, and so accommodation has been proposed as a use of the space.

The planning application was first submitted to Southend City Council on February 15, and was validated more than a month later on March 29. The planning application proposes 27 flats, bike stores and an electric bike charging facility.

There will also be a community and residential space on the first floor, and on the ground floor of the building, seven commercial units have been proposed in an arcade-like form. The application suggests this will enhance the public realm of the area off the high street.

There will be a terraced garden, providing outside space for residents and a children's play park for families.

References

1. ^{^} 'Serious personal data breach' of Essex city's residents receiving benefits (www.essexlive.news)