Southend's New Empire Theatre could be forced to shut to make way for a new nightclub.

Staff at the family-run playhouse in Alexandra Street claim they have been given until May to pack up and leave after three years at the helm.

Shay Properties, owner of the former cinema, is believed to be in talks with Luminar, the company behind a range of nightspots including Jumpin' Jaks.

The move would leave amateur dramatic groups and dancing schools out in the cold because they cannot afford the charges of alternative venues.

New Empire director Julie Robertson said: "It looks as if we have got until the end of May to get out."

Mrs Robertson claims the move could be "catastrophic" for amateur dramatics in Southend.

Julie and her team spent 18 months transforming the old ABC cinema and the New Empire has, for the last three years, offered an affordable alternative to the Palace and Cliffs Pavilion for amateur theatre groups to put on productions.

She added: "Now it looks as if one of the only ways to save the New Empire is to find £1m to outbid Luminar."

Shay Properties refused to comment.

The proposal for a new nightspot in Alexandra Street comes after a string of major projects to boost Southend's nightlife.

Talk nightclub, formerly Tots, has recently opened in Lucy Road following a major refit and Churchills in Tylers Avenue has been sold to Regenet Inns.

Meanwhile, a new bar and nightspot is set to open later this year in the old Keddies building, catering for up to 1,000 people and employing 50 to 60 staff.

Published Wednesday, March 20, 2002