Council is looking for a pier partner - yet again (From Echo)

Council is looking for a pier partner - yet again

7:50am Friday 26th September 2008 in News By Geoff Percival

Flexible approach - the council says it may even allow an investor to run a revamped pier

SOUTHEND Council is yet again looking for a private investor for the town’s world famous pier – despite the failure of so many previous plans for the landmark.

This time, senior councillors have agreed to take a more flexible approach, perhaps even letting a private firm run the pier once it has been redeveloped.

In the past, the council has always insisted on controlling the pier – right down to the timing of train services – something which has proved a major stumbling block.

Now council leader Nigel Holdcroft says it will remain as flexible as possible, in an effort to attract a private partner “for investment in and operation of the pier”.

He vowed the economic downturn would not prevent the council finding a partner for the venture.

The Tory leader explained: “It may seem crazy to be going out looking for someone to work with us now, but this is a long-term project and we hope to find companies with a long-term vision for the future.”

The hunt for private-sector cash for the pier was originally to have been launched at the Thames Gateway Forum in London last November. It was delayed by insurance negotiations in the aftermath of the 2005 fire.

Since then, redecking work at the pierhead have been carried out and a new station hase been built at the pierhead.

The plan is still to adopt a maritime theme for the redevelopment project, something backed by the public during a consultation exercise.

However, Mr Holdcroft said: “If we are unable to find a suitable partner with this theme, we will have to go back to the drawing board and look at alternatives.

“There will be no hasty decisions now.

“We will look closely at the feasibility of any ideas which come forward to us, to get the best for the town, its people and visitors.”