Progress continues on restoration of Southend's historic Kursaal

September 21, 2026

Visible progress is being made on one of Southend's most recognisable landmarks, with major external repair works now underway on the iconic Kursaal dome.

Scaffolding has been erected around the Grade II-listed building, allowing specialist repairs to begin as part of a wider programme aimed at safeguarding and restoring the historic seafront landmark.

The work follows the appointment of local leisure operator Star Amusements as leaseholder earlier this year. The restoration programme is being carried out in phases, with the immediate focus on stabilising the building, carrying out structural and heritage surveys and developing longer-term plans for its future.

Much of the work undertaken so far has taken place inside the building and has therefore been largely out of public view. The arrival of scaffolding and the start of repairs to the distinctive dome represent a more visible stage of the project.

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."

The Kursaal has been at the heart of Southend's leisure history for more than a century.

The site began life as the Marine Park, which was laid out in 1894. The Kursaal building was designed by architect George Sherrin in 1896 and constructed between 1898 and 1899, before the wider complex was completed and opened in 1901.

The name "Kursaal" comes from the German term for a public hall or meeting place at a spa resort. In Southend, the name became associated with a major entertainment complex designed to attract visitors to the growing seaside resort.

At its height, the wider Kursaal amusement park covered around 26 acres and featured a remarkable range of attractions, including a menagerie, music hall, funfair, shops, restaurants and other entertainment facilities. The building itself housed a circus, ballroom, amusement arcade, dining hall and billiard room.

The Kursaal was designed as a grand entrance to the Marine Park and quickly became one of Southend's principal attractions during the town's Edwardian-era expansion.

Its distinctive red-brick frontage, stone detailing and large glazed dome have since become an enduring part of Southend's seafront identity. Architect George Sherrin's work on the Kursaal is also considered significant, with the building regarded as one of his major works outside London.

The building was officially Grade II listed in 1994 in recognition of its special architectural and historic interest.

Although much of the original amusement park has disappeared or been redeveloped over the years, the Kursaal building survives as a reminder of the era when Southend was developing into a major seaside resort.

The building has been closed since 2020 and has faced an uncertain future in recent years. In May 2026, Southend-on-Sea City Council confirmed that the lease had been assigned to Remblance Leisure Limited, led by Star Amusements, with essential repairs and a phased restoration planned.

The current programme is intended to preserve the historic structure while supporting plans to return the Kursaal to active use as a leisure and entertainment destination.

For a building that has stood on Southend's seafront for more than 120 years, the latest repairs mark another chapter in the long history of one of the city's most recognisable landmarks.