A deal has been revealed which could save one of Southend's most beautiful and historic buildings from dereliction.

An agreement has been reached on the leasehold of the Royal Hotel, a Grade II listed building at the estuary end of Southend High Street.

Managing agent for the building, Royal, Ayers and Cruiks, confirmed a company would take on the running of the building, following negotiations between a number of parties.

Director Kevin Cruiks also confirmed the building would remain a licensed premises, opening speculation the Royal could return to its glory day as a hotel, or even become the town's most spectacular bar.

He said: "It is in the hands of solicitors at the moment and there is a party proceeding on a leasehold for the basement, ground and first floors. It will make a big difference to that end of the town."

The Grade II listed building has been closed since 1993, when it was a victim of the collapse of its owners, the Brent Walker leisure group.

Southend Council spokesman Mike Pressling said the news was a fantastic boost for the town.

He said: "We are delighted that such an important building in a prime tourism site for the town will hopefully be re-opened for the main season."

Peggy Dowie, chairman of the Southend Pier Foundation, said she was relieved something was going to be done.

She said: "It is such an historic building, very important to Southend and it has been a shame to see it empty all this time, going from bad to worse."

New future - a deal has been revealed which could save the future of the Grade II listed Royal Hotel

Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.