The new pier entrance will be the venue for the launch of Southend's 2004 tourism guide on Friday.

In recent years, the guide has won a number of major prestigious awards within the industry.

The controversial pier entrance is seen as a major part of the regeneration of the town's most famous landmark, the longest pleasure pier in the world.

Lisa Driscoll, Southend Council's tourism manager, said: "With its award winning contemporary new entrance, it has undergone a renaissance.

"It is an ideal place to lanuch the new guide which we hope will be as successful as previous ones."

Published Tuesday January 20, 2004

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