Southend Pier’s ageing railway track and the old bowling alley site are in line for a £2million boost.

Council leader Ron Woodley has also spoken of his appetite for a new “entertainment building”

on the old bowling alley site, which was burned out in the pier fire in 1995.

Southend Council has revealed to the Echo it is now carrying out two studies – costing £150,000 each – into how it can improve the pier areas.

And the authority is confident this is the first step in its planned £20million regeneration aimed at “putting the jewel back in Southend’s crown”.

Mr Woodley said: “We are looking at building a new structure on the old bowling alley that will give people an entertainment experience coming on to the pier.

“But I don’t want it to be Ron Woodley’s idea, I want ideas from everyone!

“We’ve got to make sure we use the money wisely. There are various things we are looking at.”

He said he would like to have pop-up cafes on the stretch of the pier, and loved the idea of a midday gun being fired from the landmark during the summer each day. Another idea could be to put solar panels on some parts of the landmark, which is more than amile long.

Staff at the pier museum hope to be involved in any regeneration.

Peggy Dowie, from the Pier Museum, said: “The intention to regenerate the pier is very strong from the council, and that is very pleasing.

“The trust is more than happy with knowing the pier is going to get some attention it so badly needs.

“It is high time it takes its rightful place in plans for the future.”

Until late last year, the council was in negotiations with a private investor, but a deal could not be reached, so the authority has decided to go it alone and set up a local authority trading company, called Southend Pier Ltd.

Astructural report into the pier, carried out in late 2014, highlighted that some parts needed urgent repair, including the ageing railway, so the council has committed £4.65million over the next five years for these repairs.

This is in addition to the £2million being lined up for both the bowling platformand railway.

The £2million will form part of the £20million figure earmarked for the pier’s entertainment regeneration.

A spokesman said: “The pier feasibility study should informus of some options to develop both the pier transport and any structure on the bowling platform. The public’s aspirations will be considered.”

A public consultation is expected after the feasibility studies are carried out.

 

...While there could be a party on the pier

Southend Pier could play host to a two-day festival this summer, featuring three stages of music, performers and a Spitalfields-style street market.

Nightclub and music events organiser Diason Paye is in advanced talks with tourism officials at the council for the festival, pencilled in for Saturday June 18, and the following day.

The first day will be called “Party on the Pier”, and the second named “Rock the Pier” – and he is looking to sign up local bands and performers, plus some big names.

Red Bull will be providing tents for the event, but no alcohol will be served, while Essex University will be contributing performers and student volunteers.

An event management plan is being mulled over by the council, with a decision likely to be made in the next few weeks.

Mr Paye, who has organised events in Southend over the last decade, said: “We’ve got the longest pier in the world, but it needs some excitement injected into it.”

He added he was in discussions with the vocalists from Basement Jaxx to do a PA set at one of the three stages on the pier.

Entry will be free, while donations and proceeds will go to Southend Hospital’s keyhole cancer appeal.

Mr Paye added: “This is an event to bring together the community to put money back into the community.”

For more information, visit: partyonthepier.co.uk/ Anyone interested in performing or taking part should email Mr Paye on Diason@toodamnglam.com.