SEAFRONT businesses believe the return of the cliff lift will give a welcomed boost to tourism in Southend.

The lift, which is almost 100 years old, was lowered back into place by crane after a £650,000 refurbishment this week.

When fully operational, it carries passengers between Clifton Terrace and Western Esplanade. But it has been out of service for five years.

The lift will be run by Southend Council and will open during the summer months and bank holidays.

The council is aiming to get the newly-refurbished Edward-ian lift up and running by the second bank holiday in May.

The council is expected to charge people to use the lift, but no pricing policy has been decided.

It will also have an operator ferrying people up and down from the seafront.

Garry Strickland, the council’s project manager for the Cliff Lift restoration, said: “The council will run and manage the new lift with a lift operator.”

Roderick Smith, manager of the newly-opened Park Inn Palace Hotel nearby, said: “Everybody is so pleased to have the lift close by.

“These old icons of the town definitely help us.

“It all helps to bring the town back to its former glory.

“We don’t want everything to be replaced by modern buildings.

“But it is important people respect these old icons.”

Mark Marriott who run’s Marriotts Restaurant, close to the lift, said: “I’m delighted it’s come back.

“I think it’s money well spent by the council.

“It will be great to see the lift finally up and running.

“It will draw people to the seafront.”

Mr Strickland said a lot of guesthouses and hotels were furious when the lift closed because they lost trade.

He said he was thrilled the restoration was almost complete.

More than £2million of lottery cash was spent revamping the stations at the top and bottom of the cliff.

In total, nearly £3million has been spent on giving the whole structure a makeover.