A RECORD-breaking year for Southend Pier has been announced as family events become a “huge hit” among the community.

The popular attraction has seen its highest number of yearly visitors since records first began.

To the end of October, 392,025 people visited the pier, which is an increase of nearly 25,000 on the previous highest in the entire of 2018.

There are still two months to go in regard to the 2022 statistics but it is already record breaking.

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October has also been the busiest since records began, with more than 27,000 people walking the planks and riding the trains.

Family events played a huge part in the numbers too with Halloween on the Pier attracting hundreds of additional visitors throughout October.

Southend also hosted the LuminoCity event as well as the Southend City Jam. 

The pier is now on winter opening hours. A winter walk price is only £1 per person to walk both ways and with a loyalty card offer – six visits for the price of five. 

Carole Mulroney, councillor responsible for environment, culture and tourism, welcomed the impressive figures.

She said: “It is fantastic to see the Pier continue to go from strength to strength and breaking visitor records.

“To break previous records is incredible and to do it in month 10 is even more impressive.

“This shows that our continued investment in the jewel in the crown of Southend-on-Sea, is having a positive effect as we continue to welcome more people as the years go by.

“Family-themed events are always a huge hit, and we will continue working tirelessly to ensure that we offer a magnificent programme to our residents and visitors to our City, with more events such as City Jam, LuminoCity and the Halloween Parade.

“We want them to come back time and time again – because Southend City is a City for everyone to enjoy, that’s what we are about – a fantastic City by the Sea.”