The History of Shoeburyness Conservative Club

The present Conservative club was founded in the early 20th century, around 1906, and was at the other end of Seaview Road. Having persuaded Charrington & Co to buy the present premises, the club moved in 1921. The membership slowly increased and the building underwent much structural and decorative improvement. However, it became obvious that they were enhancing a building that didn't belong to the club. The committee approached Charrington with a view to buying the freehold from the brewery. Charrington, perhaps unsurprisingly, resisted the approaches on the basis that they might well lose the business if they allowed the club to go their own way.

The club didn't give up on the idea and finally in 1982 they negotiated a new 25 year lease for the sum of £100,000 with no rent during the period and the option to buy the freehold at the end of the lease. The only provision was that the club had to adhere to the terms of the lease.

The club managed all the terms and was rewarded in 2007 with the freehold of the clubhouse by the new owner, Coors, for the princely sum of £1!