There's some good news if you're a fan of White Arkitekter's plans to redevelop Southend Pier. As revealed on Longpier.com last week, the Swedish firm beat off more than 70 architects to win a competition to redesign the Pier Head, which was ravaged by fire in 2005.
The initial blueprints have now been approved by Southend Borough Council's cabinet. Click to continue reading...

The Swedish architect firm - White Arkitekter - will redevelop Southend Pier, if the council secures funding from a government grant.
The main feature of the new Pier Head design will be an open air theatre with a terraced platform that will create lee, view point and seating for the audience. Click to continue reading...

"The Pier is Southend, Southend is the Pier"
Sir John Betjeman
Some of the world's leading architects are bidding to redevelop Southend's most iconic landmark - its record breaking pier.
The pier has been crying out for some TLC ever since a devastating fire at the end of the 1. Click to continue reading...

Weston Super Mare pier fire on Monday
When Weston Super Mare's pier burnt down earlier in the week, I immediately thought of our very own pier at Southend.
It's been burnt many times - most recently in 2005, when a pub at the end went up in smoke. It took the council just a month to reopen the pier to visitors, showing the true British spirit of "getting on with things". Click to continue reading...