AN amusement arcade is set to go to make way for a new Southend Pier entrance.

Southend Council has submitted new plans to demolish the Southend Pier Arcade to make way for the new entrance along with a café and restaurant.

Planning permission was granted in 2017 for the redevelopment but survey work on the existing structures.

The council says this has resulted in some changes to the proposal.

This has meant the plans have had to be resubmitted.

The wall between the arcade and the current pier entrance will also be demolished, creating a sheltered area for pier visitors and train passengers arriving at the attraction.

There will be a kiosk selling drinks and ice creams, with a window serving snacks through to an outside terrace.

Toilets, which the entrance does not currently have, will be installed.

The plans also include wheelchair access.

A new and repositioned ticket and tourist information desk will be created.

The pier shop will be moved to allow easier access for visitors.

The new layout is also expected to improve the popularity of the Pier Museum, with a mural covering one of the walls set to show off its highlights.

Posters will also give details about exhibits.

An additional £11.5million has been earmarked for maintenance, repairs and major improvements to the pier over the coming years.

This is in addition to £4.2million already committed to structural works up to April 2020 and £1.2million being spent this year and next on essential reinforcement on the Prince George extension.

The proposed new projects are part of the 2017/18 draft capital budget and include £8million to reconstruct the timber outer pier head following storm damage in 2015.

In addition there is a further £1.5million for reinforcement works to the Prince George extension, £300,000 for pier entrance improvements, and £1million to undertake a planned programme of works of refurbishments to reduce the risk of future pile cap failures.

The council is also hoping to develop the pavilion deck, to improve the entrance and continue its review into future transport options to replace the ageing pier train.

Councillors also allocated a sum of £50,000 to provide more commercial beach huts on the pier.