The Britannia Hotel

The 18th-century Britannia Hotel in Southend is one of handful of buildings which survives from the original ‘South End’ oyster fishing hamlet from which the Borough developed. In 2016 it was threatened with demolition and the Trust was asked to intervene to try to save the building. It had suffered severe damage from flooding over the years and the developers were keen to replace it, but the Trust used its influence to come to an arrangement with them and the Borough Council whereby the historic façade and one of the side walls was retained. The rest of the structure was rebuilt and the Britannia is now home to a successful fish-and-chip shop and retains its historic place in the street scene.