PIER-goers flocked to the planks of Southend’s infamous landmark for the first time in over three months, ready for yesterday’s grand re-opening.

Visitors were faced with quite an unusual return when heading back to the tourist spot on Western Esplanade, being met with a one-way walking system, sanitizing stations, new signs and plastic screens on arrival.

Takeaway services also re-opened to offer drinks, snacks, ice cream and fish and chips, and fishermen were once again welcomed to use the end of the pier under strict social distancing measures.

Families certainly didn’t shy away from the world’s longest pleasure pier, despite its trains being out of operation due to problems with social distancing when on-board the carriages.

Gaz de Vere eagerly headed to the pier yesterday morning to make the most of the re-opening.

The 40-year-old from Southend, said: “From the opening at 10.15am, visitors were sparse but constant. There must’ve been about 250 to 300 people visit the pier from then up until about 2pm yesterday.

“There were no crowds and those that were there were socially distancing, with a few people fishing at the end.

“Trains aren’t running for the time being until they can sort out social distancing measures, but a few people I spoke to actually said they welcomed the walk that they’d missed for the last few months and that the pier opening feels like a positive step towards the new normal.

“There was a one-way system in place, which essentially works by just keeping to the right.

“There were also hand sanitisers at the entrance, at the food kiosks and at the loos at the end for people to use.

“The big cafe wasn’t open, but there was plenty to eat with lots of cabins doing fish and chips, drinks and that kind of thing.”

The pier will now open from 10.15am to 9pm seven days a week. Last entry is 8pm.

Gaz continued: “It was really good to see the pier open again. It’s an odd feeling as we’re still in the grip of the pandemic, and we all have to take care of each other.

“As long as visitor numbers are limited, the risks I would think are very low - it’s a very open space of course, and even the walkway has ample room for the two way system to work comfortably.

“I do think the trains not running might put people off coming this weekend, but we’ll have to see what happens.”

Kevin Robinson, cabinet member for culture, business and tourism, said: “We planned to make things as safe as we can ready for the re-opening and we’ve been making sure to check the numbers of people as they go through.

“It’s not a full service yet, with the trains coming to a halt for now, but we will be monitoring the situation to get this up and running as soon as we can.

“We’re so pleased to have it open and to start welcoming people onto the pier again. I’m sure many were eager to come back, it’s a step closer to some sort of normality.”