AMBITIOUS plans including a new restaurant and cafe are set to dramatically transform Southend Pier.

The overhaul of the iconic landmark includes a new Royal Pavilion restaurant, pierhead toilets and a new cafe.

The new additions to the pier will include a viewing platform offering expansive views of the Thames Estuary.

Southend Council is also planning for an old pier train to be used as a seating area and is planning a new children’s area, including a trampoline.

The new fleet of trains are being assembled on the pier at the moment.

Council bosses say they have remodelled the interior of the Royal Pavilion to deliver a new restaurant.

The council is working on staff training and recruitment for the restaurant and bar with an opening date expected in the coming weeks.

Work has not yet started on the cafe.

Families are delighted to see more investment.

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Carolyne Goodall, 57, from Leigh, said she and many others will be more likely to visit the pier when the development is finished.

She said: “It is great to see and I also think it was needed.

“It will help bring in money long term so it’s a good thing, I think. People will want to visit the pier more and I think we will be more likely to visit it.”

A Southend Council spokesman said: “The pier head toilets opening date is Spring 2022.

“These toilets include a solid floor viewing platform offering fantastic views out to the estuary where people can sit and watch the boats go by. This design element was a way of utilising the limited space of the pier – rather than just being just a toilet facility, it has a second function that makes the most of the space available.

“Construction work has not started on the new single-storey cafe yet as it is subject to its operational business case.”