A BUSINESSMAN turned down a near-£1million offer for Southend’s derelict New Empire theatre because he did not want to see it turned into a nightclub.

Richard Shea, whose company, Shea Properties, owns the Alexandra Road landmark, is adamant it should remain in some kind of community use.

He has spent three years trying to find a buyer for the former town centre cinema, but revealed he had rejected an offer within the past six weeks.

He said the reason for his decision was he did not want it to become some kind of drinking den.

Mr Shea, who also owns Mayhem nightclub, said: “We have enough of those already in the town, particularly in Alexandra Street.

“The Empire was a community building and it should remain a community building.

“I have no intention to ever sell it to someone who wants to do something else with it.”

The theatre closed in November 2008, after the Players Theatre Company, which had been running it as a community theatre, failed to keep up its rent payments.

It is being advertised for sale for £950,000 by estate agent Dedman Gray – its 2009 asking price was £1.15million.

Last year, the fast-growing Southend Vineyard church applied for planning permission to turn the theatre into a place of worship, but was refused by Southend Council because of a technical fault with the application.

The church has now remedied this and put in a new application, said Andy Vincett, a senior pastor.

He explained: “The planning process has taken some time.

“We are still keen to go ahead with the idea, but we will have to wait and see if we get planning permission before we come to that point.”

The council is due to make a final decision on the church’s plans by the end of next month.

If it approves the plans, the theatre could be used to stage live shows, concerts and films, and be used for services on Sundays.

Mr Shea said he was still supportive of Southend Vineyard’s plans, but warned he could not wait forever.

He said: “We’ve had this deal in place for nearly a year now, but the planning process has dragged on and on.

“I’ve had other offers and there is interest in the site.

“I’d like to sell to this group, but it needs to get sorted sooner rather than later.”