Martin Halliday, who explores old and derelict buildings in Southend for his Youtube channel, DE-eVOLVED, gained access to the historic building in July 2022 as it sat totally empty ahead of the work.
While taking a long walk near the Cliffs Pavilion, Martin’s interest was raised in the building – remembering a previous visit to see the “decaying Edwardian building”
He said: “The abandoned and decayed building was photographically appetizing and before I had time to think about it I started walking over to the huge property, it’s crumbling front supported by railway sleepers.
“I walked around the perimeter of the former art gallery and shot photographs from various angles outside.
“I soon found an open door that opened with no more pull power than two fingers and made my way inside.
“It was evident that work had or was about to start work inside at the time rumours circulated about the building being demolished.
“However, those rumours were short lived as I later spoke to a builder or contractor who mentioned it was being renovated and being turned into flats or apartments.”
Martin managed to photograph the interior of the building before work began, providing a lasting record of the Edwardian building’s past life.
He added: “I carefully trod on the rotten floors, the wood floors on the lower floor crumbled in blunt splinters and flaked as your feet would carefully pass over them.
“The architecture was brilliant; I loved the staircases and upper floors especially.
“Before leaving I checked the lower floors again mainly for signs of tunnels, but nothing I saw led me to believe there were any leading from there.”
Despite this, Martin did uncover a “secret room” though unfortunately he failed in getting details on the purpose of the rooms or their design after his flashlight’s power ran out.
“I left the same way I entered, I left nothing but dusty footprints and the photographs, some of which you can see here,” he said.
