New shop opening on Southend Pier as part of 'big changes coming' to landmark

A NEW gift shop will be opening soon on Southend Pier as part of exciting "big changes" coming to the landmark this year.

Southend Council has announced a number of new additions to the world's longest pleasure pier in preparation for the busy tourism season, including a Land's End-style selfie signpost and London's oldest pie and mash.

Revealed today as part of these new developments, a new gift shop is expected to open in a couple of weeks with photos showing shelving delivered to the store today.

A Southend Pier and Railway spokesman shared: "We’ve got some big changes coming to Southend Pier over the coming months and the next one on the agenda is the brand new gift shop!

"We’ve just got to sort out all the shelving first, but we should be good to open in a couple of weeks."

This comes after it was announced this week that the century-old Manze’s on Tower Bridge Road will now serve its famous hand-made pies, mash, and liquor at the Offshore Restaurant.

George Major, the Pearly King of Peckham, visited the restaurant at the end of the pier and gave his royal seal of approval for the new Manze's menu.