THE owners of the Foresters Arms have been blamed for delaying a £150million seafront development after remaining open.


The pub could face legal action after the Inner London Group served notice on the Foresters Arms more than six weeks ago but the pub is still open and holding up the long-awaited Marine Plaza development opposite the Kursaal in Southend.


The company says it needs the whole site to be cleared, including the pub and a temporary car park before it can put hoardings up. Other businesses, including a fish and chip shop and taxi rank have already closed.


Larry Fenttiman, a director of the group, said: “We are still waiting for a few issues to be sorted out. We are ready to demolish but the pub hasn’t moved out. We will be taking legal action if they don’t go.
“As soon as they go we will give notice to the car park owners. They are a big company and ready to move out in a week.
“We didn’t want to close the car park yet as traders are able to use it but it’s all a bit chicken and egg.”


Mr Fenttiman added: “Its getting towards the summer season so I’m guessing the pub wants to make the most of that and leave it until the last minute before they move out.
“We will take legal action if we have to. You get this sort of thing quite often. There’s always someone who drags their heels but the threat of legal action usually makes people move as they start incurring costs.
“We want to get hoardings up to secure the whole site but until that happens we can’t start demolition.” 


Planning permission was granted in 2015 for 282 flats along with shops and restaurants on the landmark seafront site opposite the Kursaal.


The plans stalled after being hit by the gloomy economic climate in recent years, but the company secured a construction partner to provide a £60million boost and allow the scheme to get off the ground.


The 282 homes across six buildings, will range in height from four to 14 storeys.


The work is likely to take five years to complete. 


The long wait to see the landmark site redeveloped with modern, eye-catching buildings has proved frustrating for Southend councillors.


Council leader Tory Tony Cox said: “It is disappointing there are going to be further delays to development of this major site. Hopefully the legal wrangles will be resolved quickly and the site will be developed.”


Matt Dent, Labour councillor for Kursaal Ward, said: “I think the delays are becoming ridiculous now. regardless of people’s views on development, the site is sitting as it is in a state of disrepair is not doing the town any favours. We’ve been hearing for months and months they were going to get started. It isn’t good for the town’s image. I would like to see some movement on the scheme.
“The developers may be going forward now but they’ve had planning permission for a long time.”

Resident Marion Felton, 42, of Woodgrange Drive, Southend said: “Enough is enough. Residents have been promised the earth with this development but all we have is a derelict eyesore.” The pub was contacted for comment.