THE owners of a popular seafront pub are selling the lease of the business.

The lease for the Monico pub, in Eastern Esplanade, Canvey appeared on property selling website Rightmove priced at £75,000.

Ower Derek Gray said the time has come to hand the reins over to someone else.

He said: “All we are doing is passing off some of the business.

“We are just passing on some of the building.

“It is as simple as, we’ve been here 22 years and I am not getting any younger.

“There comes a point in your life where things are more important.

“I will not be sad to hand over the lease.

“We want to concentrate more on our family amusements and spending time with our family.

“It will be exciting for pub and the customers.

“It will be good to have different things happening there.

“We have got fantastic memories from running the pub and made fantastic friends.”

The 52-year-old added: “We are not going - we will still be at the seafront and people can come and see us at Fantasy Island and Jimmy Macs.

“There comes a time when you are cutting yourself too fine.”

Mr Gray said he doesn’t think the loyal customers will miss the family’s lease hold of the island’s pub.

The pub’s leasehold is being marketed by WilsonWood Properties Limited on the island.

The property has also been posted on the estate agent’s website.

It states that the lease sale includes a display car park, licence to trade until 1am and says rent is £1,200 per week.

It also states all the fixtures and fittings are included such as a pool table.

The business has been trading on the island for more than 50 years.

Business rates for the site are believed to be around £1,283 per month.

Any lease agreement will be for ten years.

The well-known seafront pub is currently run by Monico Leisure.

The family-run firm runs a number of Canvey seafront businesses including, Estuary Views restaurant and venue, Jimmy Macs American-style diner, Fantasy Island amusement park and Sugar Rays ice cream parlour.