Plans for third cafe on seaside pier scrapped

The development of a third cafe on a renovated Southend Pier has been shelved

A plan for a third cafe on Southend Pier has been scrapped after it was deemed "financially unviable".

Southend-on-Sea City Council's £10.5m pier restoration included the cafe to accompany two others that were recently built on the Essex landmark.

However, rising costs have been blamed for the decision to shelve it.

The council said it wanted to make sure there was enough money for further works on the pier to take place.

Lazy Jacks and the Offshore restaurant opened to the public earlier this year.

Derek Jarvis, Conservative cabinet member for arts, culture, heritage and leisure, said the council wanted to make sure money went towards ongoing maintenance works, including the replacement of steel beams, decking and other structural elements.

"This work might not be so high profile or glamorous as the more obvious works are, but it is absolutely vital to maintain the pier for future generations and keep the jewel in our crown in good working order," he said.