Musicians back campaign to save historic Railway Hotel

Musicians including Wilko Johnson have backed a campaign set up in order to save a historic Southend pub.

The Railway Hotel has been in the hands of owners Dave and Fi Dulake since 2007 and has played host to a wide variety of live music in the town. Last year it was thought that the pub was to close due to increasing renovation costs, however a regular in the pub has now set up a fundraising page in order to raise funds to support the owners.

The GoFundMe page has already surpassed its £10,000, with Johnson, of 1970s group Dr Feelgood, supporting the campaign saying “every quid counts”, adding that he felt the pub was “the heart of the town’s creative community”.

Tom Burgess, the pub regular who set up the fundraising page called the pub a “vital and special place” adding that he felt the owners had “ploughed their hearts and souls into the pub”. Burgess said that keeping the four-storey venue in operation had left the owners with “some significant bills”.

Railway Hotel co-owner, Dulake said he was “eternally grateful” to those who had donated, saying he was “absolutely flabbergasted” at the public response. Dulake added: “A huge weight has been lifted and we can see a bright future for the pub at last.”