A devastated businessman today watched as bulldozers began demolishing a huge part of one of Southend's well-known landmarks.
John Gayner, who has run Southend's Bandstand for more than a decade, said: "It makes you tremble a bit when you realise what is happening."
Specialist demolition contractors will knock down a large part of the building, including the bar and function room, after heavy rain in August rendered it unstable.
Demolition - the building is pulled down Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL
Mr Gayner said: "Within the next couple of weeks, the building will be taken down to ground level.
"We have been told by the council that for health and safety reasons it is best that it is done now.
"We knew absolutely nothing about the situation until the last few days and it has come as a bolt from the blue."
Around 2,000 pre-booked Christmas meals will have to be cancelled at the venue.
Mr Gayner said the latest problems were even more devastating because the bandstand had just started to recover from a previous landslip 18 months ago.
He wanted to assure people that despite the demolition work, the bandstand remained open and there was still a part of the cafe open for trade.
Published Friday October 18, 2002
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article