Plans for weddings at £3m Southend pier centre (From Echo)

Plans for weddings at £3m Southend pier centre

7:50am Wednesday 21st September 2011 in News By Steve Hackwell

An artist's impression of the plan

COUPLES could soon tie the knot on Southend Pier for the first time in its 122-year history.

Council bosses are exploring the possibility of licensing the new £3million pierhead cultural centre for weddings.

The centre is expected to be finished by the end of March, meaning the first marriages could take place as early as next summer.

Derek Jarvis, the Tory councillor responsible for culture at Southend Council, said: “Wedd-ings are one of the events we are considering for the centre.

“There are already some benches on the pier head commemorating people who met or got engaged on the pier. Weddings would be the next step.

“We want to get as many people as possible visiting and using the pier.”

Apart from churches, there are 11 licensed premises in Southend which can be used for weddings.

Under the Marriage Act 1994, there are no restrictions on which buildings can be licensed, but ceremonies cannot take place in the open air or in a temporary or moveable structure.

The caveat has ruled out weddings on the pier until now.

The new cultural centre, which was approved by councillors last week after months of delays, is on track to be completed within six months.

If the final plans are approved by conversation body English Heritage, work on the pre-fabricated building will start this winter. The finished structure will be lifted into place by a sea crane.