WORK to restore a Southend seafront pub and turn it into an upmarket fish and chip restaurant is under way.

The Stockvale Group, which also owns Adventure Island, is transforming the former Britannia pub, along Eastern Esplanade, into the restaurant with flats above.

Builders have started work on the interior and the rear of the building but Stockvale has confirmed the front of the building will be preserved.

Steven Kearney, from Ska Architects, said: “We have managed to save the whole of the front facade and part of the side flank on the east side. These are the only structurally sound pieces of the old Britannia that can be salvaged after a very detailed structural analysis and investigation.”

Mr Kearney added: “This does involve a great level of detail in terms of carefully inserting a steel frame and lattice structure behind the façade and tying back all of the existing brickwork to ensure that the front facade is not lost.

“The whole of the project from start to finish is programmed to take approximately 18 months and will see the former Britannia pub completely renovated in terms of its position on the Eastern Esplanade, with a more rigorous structure behind to ensure Britannia’s place along the seafront is retained for many more years to come.”

Hoardings are being placed around the building.

Marc Miller, from the Stockvale Group, said: “The first stages involve a very careful and detailed demolition process removing the back of the structurally failed buildings. We will be inserting a steel restraining frame into the front, tying back the original brickwork and restoring the front and side elevation.”

A campaign was launched last year to preserve the dilapidated building which is locally listed and is believed to date back to 1793. The pub closed in 2015.

It was originally thought the building was too damaged to be preserved but after careful inspection architects believe they can preserve more of the building than originally thought.