Southend Pier
In the early 19th century, Southend was growing as a seaside resort. But it had one big problem.
Its mudflats and shallow waters made it impossible for large boats to stop near the beach – so they would sail on to Margate with better docking facilities, taking potential tourists with them.
The solution was a 600ft wooden pier which opened in 1830. Too short to use at low tide, it was extended and by 1848 was the longest in Europe at 7,000 feet.
A flood of visitors took their toll on the wooden structure so work began on a new iron one in 1887. It proved a stunning success, an extension was completed by 1889, with the pier railway running its length by 1891.
Closed during the Second World War and renamed HMS Leigh, it served as a mustering point for convoys and the Naval Control for the Thames Estuary.
When it re-opened in 1945, the
Dolphin Cafe was built out of scrap left by the Navy. The Sun Deck Theatre, Solarium Cafe and a Hall of Mirrors were also added. In 1959, fire destroyed the shore-end pavilion and 500 people had to be rescued by boat.
With Brits turning to package holidays in the 60s, the pier’s popularity declined and its structure began to deteriorate. In the 70s two fires broke out and the railway closed. But repairs were carried out and a new railway was unveiled by Princess Anne in 1986.
In 2002 the RNLI Lifeboat Station was added to the pier end with a new £1.9million entrance unveiled a year later, only to be hit by fire again in 2005.
In 2012, a pier Cultural Centre opened hosting theatre productions, art exhibitions and eateries. Eight seasons of Jamie & Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast have been filmed for TV in the pier cafe.
The original 1986 trains are set to be replaced this summer with eco-friendly ones painted in heritage green and cream livery.
englandscoast.com