Southend Pier
Southend Pier is the town's historical icon as well as being the longest pleasure pier in the world, with its glorious 1.33 miles literally putting Southend on the map as well as into the record books.
Since it was built in 1830, the Pier has seen both jubilant and troubled times coupled with many changes as it has evolved to meet the trends of the passing decades of the 20th century.
It is a true survivor, having lived through fires, boat crashes, two world wars and economic decline as well as braving the elements of Mother Nature in beating off the effects of the weather and the waves.
A great deal of work has taken place in recent years and the Pier is going through a period of immense change. At the Pier Head a new lifeboat station and sundeck were built in partnership with the RNLI; a new state-of-the-art Pier sewage system and fire main were installed, and work took place to re-deck the 1976 fire damaged areas.
A new entrance was built at the shore end of the Pier, and new shelters, toilets along with a CCTV and public address system were installed.
Unfortunately in October 2005 another fire devastated the Pier Head, this time destroying the station, pub, gift shop, amusements, toilets, takeaway, and part of the restaurant. By 1st December 2005 a temporary platform had been built allowing the first mile of the Pier to re-open.
At the beginning of August 2006 a permanent walkway was completed allowing Pier visitors to access the Pier Head. Visitors can now once again visit the Lifeboat Station and Gift Shop. Temporary toilets have been installed at the Pier Head, and the fire damaged restaurant has been refurbished for the sale of light refreshments. Work will start this summer on the re-instatement of the 2005 fire damaged area.
Reviewed 12 May 2009
Attachments
Southend Pier Brochure
13 September 2006 :: Adobe Acrobat file :: 800.5 KB (2 Minutes 23 Seconds)
Do it online
16 December 2005
This fund-raising scheme has been introduced to raise money for projects on the Pier that otherwise would not be achievable through usual sources. Use this on-line form to 'Adopt a Plank'
16 December 2005
Complete this on-line form if you would like to donate a bench on Southend Pier
20 December 2005
You can apply for a Southend-on-Sea Fishing Passes using this on-line form
More forms available
Further Information
Southend Borough Council working with the Landscape Institute are running an international competition to design a new landscape and buildings for the...
Schedule of the departments fees and charges as set from the 1st April every year.
The document below includes fees and charges for:
Car parking
...
Southend Pier was named Pier of the Year 2007 amidst hot coast to coast competition. The world famous landmark was awarded the title after scooping...
In This Section
19 May 2009
The Southend-on-Sea Fishing Passes are available to anyone, and offer the opportunity for fishermen to pursue their sport at any time of the day - or...
1 June 2009
See the view from the of the fire damage to the Pier Head looking out into the Thames Estuary, and a more scenic view from the Tower on Pier Hill
2 June 2009
In Brief
The present iron pier was first opened in 1889 but only extended as far as what is now known as the Old Pier Head. The first extension was...
1 May 2009
Southend's Award Winning Beaches
Southend-on-Sea has seven miles of sparkling seafront from Shoeburyness to Leigh-on-Sea. Along this unique stretch...
2 June 2009
In the millennium year, Southend Pier celebrated 125 year of belonging to the people of Southend, and now it's your chance to give something back by...
2 June 2009
Donated seats with a plaque can be placed on Southend Pier, either on the Pavilion Deck at the shore end, or at the Pier Head.
The steel fabricated...
2 June 2009
Southend Cliff Lift re-opened to customers on Good Friday 2001, back under the management of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council.
Although owned and maintained...
19 March 2009
After passing through the award winning new Pier entrance, take a bracing walk, or ride on the Pier train, along the world's longest pleasure pier....
2 June 2009
1875- The Southend Local Board purchased the wooden pier that had been built in about 1830 for the princely sum of £10,000. Concerns were raised...
