AN iconic seaside vacation spot is underneath menace because the native council faces a £200,000 loss.
Southend Pier may very well be pressured to shut if Southend-on-Sea Metropolis Council goes bust.
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The council might need to declare itself bankrupt if it fails to get on prime of its £10.7million finances deficit.
Councillor Jamie Moyies stated: ”We try to keep away from what may occur, within the quick to medium time period, with a s114 chapter discover.
”If that occurred the pier could be closed and lots of different providers that we don’t have to do as a council would simply cease.
”We’re attempting to keep away from that dreadful scenario that we’re heading in the direction of.
”With a constructive angle from the entire council to get by these concepts we’ve have gotten a great alternative to realize that.”
Stretching 1.34 miles into the Thames Estuary, Southend Pier is the longest on this planet.
The Grade-II listed pier was in-built 1889 – with poet Sir John Betjeman writing that ”the Pier is Southend, Southend is the pier”.
However customer numbers have plummeted from an annual excessive of 6million in Southend’s postwar heyday.
The ageing pier has been suffering from a minimum of 4 fires through the years, and maintenance is punishingly costly.
Councillor Derek Jarvis stated that the pier made a £190,000 loss final 12 months.
He informed a particular cupboard assembly: ”The pier and foreshore group are engaged on issues to make enhancements right away to get revenue.
”The phrase procurement means procuring sources to make cash slightly than simply practically breaking even.
”There was a lack of £190,000 final 12 months however I’ve been very impressed with what I’ve seen.
”I wished to verify the phrase procurement didn’t imply promoting off the pier.
”It means getting operators on there who’re skilled and can work with us to become profitable for us this 12 months and in the long run make much more cash.”
In a bid to save lots of the pier, the council is now bringing ahead a ten per cent rise in charges and fees from April to January 1.
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