Southend-on-Sea News Stories » Pier

Southend Pier Closed After Barge Collision

Sarfend — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 08:00:02 +0000

Southend Pier has been closed as of Tuesday the 6th of September 2011, as a result of an impact by a barge.

High winds on Tuesday caused the 80 foot barge that was being used by contractors doing work on the pier, to crash into the end of the pier.

For more, see the video clip on the BBC News site: Southend Pier: Engineers Assess Damage

It appears that no serious damage has been done to the infrastructure of Southend Pier as a result of the collision, but the pier will remain closed for at least two weeks whilst repairs are carried out. It seems that there is damage to the support pilings and some of the walkway. The pier is off-limits, and pier trains are not running.

At the time of writing, temporary repairs hope to be completed allowing the pier to re-open on Saturday the 24th of September.

Therte’s some discussion of the Barge vs Pier story in our Forum: Southend Pier Damaged

For the latest information on the pier closure, please see www.southend.gov.uk/news

Sarfend Visitors Book Launched

Sarfend — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 16:35:44 +0000

Thanks to those who made the trip to the end of Southend Pier today, to see the Sarfend Visitors Book placed in the safe custody of the team at the RNLI Gift Shop.

The idea for a Sarfend Visitors book came from ex-pat Brian Mendes, who now lives in Ontario, Canada. Brian is a regular in our Sarfend Forum, and a video message from Brian was played to the assembled crowd. Brian called in using Skype, and spoke to The Worshipful the Mayor of Southend-on-Sea Councillor Ann Holland, who was there in person for the event. Brian also spoke to some of the assembled users of our forum, plus the RNLI Gift Shop staff.

MEET, presenting the Sarfend Visitors Book to The Mayor

The Sarfend Visitors Book is now in place and ready for signing by all visitors to Southend Pier.

For photos of the event, plus some poetry, see www.sarfend.co.uk/visitorsbook

Sarfend Visitors Book Event Thursday 18 Nov

Sarfend — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 18:00:05 +0000

A quick reminder that the Sarfend Visitor’s Book Signing Event takes place tomorrow, Thursday the 18th of November 2010.

We’d like to encourage all of our site visitors and forum regulars to visit Southend Pier, where The Worshipful the Mayor of Southend-on-Sea, Councillor Ann Holland will be signing the Sarfend Visitors Book at 1pm.

We’ll be adding photos from the event tomorrow, so stay tuned.

More information: Sarfend Visitors Book

Fireworks at Southend Pier

Sarfend — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 19:09:25 +0000

It’s firework season, and we’re down at Southend seafront blogging live from Southend Council’s Festival of Fireworks.

8pm tonight, Saturday the 30th of October, saw the start of the free fireworks display, with fireworks launched from a barge moored just to the East of Southend Pier.

Free fireworks at Southend Pier

Attached is a pic, live from the top level of the pier lift, which offers a great vantage point.

Update: Display now over – lasted just under 10 minutes. A decent display with a good mix of fireworks. View slighly hindered by smoke drifting to shore, and not helped by rotating spotlights from Adventure Island. Nonetheless, a good display, well received by the crowds around us. Well done chaps!

If you missed tonight’s display, there’s one more free display at the Pier, next Saturday, the 6th of November 2010 at 8pm

Puppets on the Pier

Sarfend — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:00:00 +0000

News of a local Puppet Festival. If puppets are your thing, look out for the Puppet Festival on July 31st, August 1st and August 2nd.

There will be a number of free shows on and near Southend Pier. Kids; bring your grown-ups to see Punch. Grown-ups; bring your kids to see Judy. The shows, from all over the country, are free. Pier entrance at usual prices. Sponsored by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council.

Plans for the pier development on hold?

Sarfend — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 08:00:00 +0000

Epic World Leisure, the local firm with plans to revitalise Southend Pier, has had to withdraw its plans, to avoid rejection by Southend Council. This is yet another setback in plans to get the pier back to a major tourist attraction, and once again leaves the future of our pier ‘open’. We’d love to get some comments on your thoughts about the pier, and what its future may have in store…

Read the full story

Podcast online. Exclusive Pier Interview

Sarfend — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 20:03:00 +0000

In July 2006, the Southend Podcast team were given an exclusive presentation of Epic World Leisure’s plans for the redevelopment of Southend Pier, complete with a rollercoaster, brand new trains, extreme sports, restaurants a conference centre, and much more. As a pilot for our series of upcoming podcasts, we’ve just uploaded a 15 minute exclusive interview with Epic World Leisure’s Chairman, Tony Garner. If you’re interested in the future of the pier, and of our town, listen to the interview online, or download it as an MP3.

Go to www.southendpodcast.co.uk

Southend Pier to re-open

Sarfend — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 11:00:00 +0000

The Southend Pier head is to open on 5th August 2006 for the first time since the 2005 fire. More on this story

Revamp the pier?

Sarfend — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 11:00:00 +0000

A local businessman has plans to revamp Southend Pier, including new trains, and a reason to visit the end of the pier. Learn more about Atlantis City over on our new Pier Page

Whale sightings

Sarfend — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 12:00:00 +0000

Whale sited off Southend Pier – Believed to be connected to the northern bottle-nosed whale that sadly died on 21st January during an attempt to move the stricken creature from Battersea.

Pier on fire!

Sarfend — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 21:10:00 +0000

Pier on Fire – On 10th October 2005, a fire on Southend Pier head caused millions of pounds of damage. More