ABANDONED LANDMARK DUBBED THE 'WORLD'S FIRST ENTERTAINMENT PARK' SET TO REOPEN AFTER SIX YEARS

An abandoned seaside venue is set to open after being abandoned for six years in Southend-on-Sea in Essex.

The Kursaal, reportedly the world's first entertainment park, first opened in 1901 - and is now due to be refurbished and reopened. 

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. 

The Southend-on-Sea City Council announced last weekend the Kursaal will be reopening as a leisure venue.

It has been empty for six years, since 2020.

Southend City Council announced the news that the centre will reopen and Star Amusements will operate the Kursaal, the BBC reported.

Daniel Cowan, the council leader, said: '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.'

Daniel said he had been sitting on the news for a number of months, when he revealed it live on stage during Southend City Day celebrations on Saturday afternoon.

He said, according to a Facebook post from Your Southend: 'The new operator has a strong record of building successful businesses here in Southend. They know the city. They believe in the city.'

He also confirmed that the Kursaal will be 'leisure focused' when it reopens.

However, the building is in need of key repairs first. Plus, a new legal contract must be finalised too.

Daniel added: 'This administration said that we would secure a meaningful future for the Kursaal.

'And today on Southend City Day, we're proud to say we have delivered on that promise to you Southend.' 

Bayo Alaba, the Labour MP for Southend East and Rochford, said the Kursaal was 'a building of historical significance and architecture'. 

He added: '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.'

It has not been confirmed what the new leisure operation will involve.

Locals are enthusiastic about the news, with many commenting their thoughts on Facebook.

One described the news as 'fantastic,' adding: '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.'

Another added: 'Hopefully they will make use of all the different areas and have a ‘mix’ of leisure, which includes live music, independent food outlets.'

A third wrote: 'About time, suppose better late than never! Watch this space now to see how they can turn it around and bring it back to its former glory this is such a historic landmark for Southend. I was born and have lived here all my life and it upset me sooo much to see it go downhill like it has these past few years.'

Another said: 'Good news for once. The Kursaal is a valuable part of Southend like the pier and Adventure Island.'

Others weren't quite as keen, with one writing: 'Let's hope it's going to be something everyone can appreciate and not just another amusement arcade.'

A second chimed in: 'Not convinced this is good news.'

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2026-03-11T19:26:17Z