Much-loved Southend pub to be re-opened under experienced new landlords

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EXPERIENCED landlords behind a popular community boozer are taking on another long-standing Southend pub inside a former bank.

In July, Shepherd Neame brewery announced that it was looking for a new boss to take on The Exchange pub on Southchurch Road.

The pub is now set to officially relaunch next month under the management of an experienced pair of hospitality veterans from The Railway in Prittlewell.

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Clare Campbell has been working at The Railway for more than a decade and will be joined at The Exchange by The Railway's landlord of 20 years, Keeley White.

"We're very excited because we think it has the potential to be a really amazing pub, and while there's a lot of work to do, we've met the team and they're all great," she said.

Team - Clare and Keeley (centre) with The Railway staff(Image: Clare Campbell)

"The community side of things is the key thing for us, and we think that working with residents and small businesses in the area is going to be how we make a real success out of it.

"We've got a lot of experience between us and are both really looking forward to taking it on."

The Exchange has been operating in the former Barclays bank on Southchurch Road for 16 years and is beloved by residents in the area.

It has retained the original bank vault, which now serves as a beer cellar, and also features a popular beer garden.

Popular - The pub occupies a former Barclays bank on Southchurch Road(Image: The Exchange)

Clare said: "We want to keep much of what people love about the pub as it is, but at the same time, we will be looking to build on things like weekend sports.

"We'd also like to have a darts team and tweak the menu slightly to bring in people who haven't come to have a look for a while."

While Clare and Keeley will be taking on the club from Monday October 6, it will reopen to punters with an evening of entertainment the day after.

"We've got Soul Corporation, a really popular band which appeals to old and young customers, booked in and are expecting it to be busy," said Clare.

"We want all of the pub's regulars to return and also hope to attract some new fsces."