ENTREPRENEUR Philip Miller has been touted as a potential new operator of Southend Pier after years of investment in Adventure Island – the jewel in the crown of the seafront.

Earlier this week, Southend Council revealed plans to put the pier into the hands of a private company after admitting the pier was making a £190,000 a year loss.

Some seafront business leaders now believe Philip Miller – who owns Adventure Island, SeaLife Adventure and a portfolio of restaurants and businesses – is the man to turn around the pier’s fortunes.

Mr Miller’s investment in the seafront has been a key driver of its success. Back in 2016, Mr Miller even developed plans to take over the pier, but the deal fell through.

Asked to speculate about who possible Southend Pier operator could be, Martin Richardson, owner of Happidrome Arcade on the seafront, said he thought Mr Miller “will take it on and look after it” as he has “a passion for Southend”.

He added: “It needs to become iconic. The boats and the pubs must come back and Philip Miller is a good candidate.”

Paul Thompson, owner of Pebbles One cafe and other businesses, also threw his weight behind Mr Miller, as someone with a “proven track record,” adding Southend Council “would be lucky if he wanted to,” as it is about “improving Southend and helping the council avoid losing money”.

Speaking of his hopes for the future of the pier, Mr Richardson said: “My view has always been that the pier has never been run right or correctly.

“It’s a jewel in the Nile for Southend because no one else can boast that they have the ‘longest pier’ but it has been neglected. It’s a mile and a half walk to nowhere, you’d at least like a decent selfie spot.”

Mr Richardson added that it only takes one look at the pier’s TripAdvisor reviews to find complaints about the lack of toilet maintenance, broken trains and overpriced food.

He added: “It needs the three Rs – a recommendation, a return and a remain.

“You want people to recommend the pier to their friends, then come back themselves.”

Mr Thompson added that “times have changed, councils are no longer the right people to run attractions”.

“The council is bleeding money and it is time to let someone come in, Someone must come up with an idea and deliver an attraction that will be for people to come and visit, some nostalgia, nice outlets, rides and some variety,” Mr Thompson said.

The Echo has approached Mr Miller for comment.