National Piers Society provides a round-up of top piers to visit when they reopen
As bookings surged for domestic holidays, piers were expected to get an unexpected boost. “These quintessentially English structures punctuate our entire coastline and provide 360-degree coastal views like nowhere else,” said Samantha Richardson, director of the National Coastal Tourism Academy, deliverer of the England’s Coast campaign.
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Clacton Pier try to set the wheel in motion
The owners of Clacton Pier urged Tendring Council to give the green light for a 30-metre-high wheel. A full planning application for an observation wheel was submitted to the council, which would be ready to operate once coronavirus restrictions were lifted. Managing director Billy Ball said the new attraction would provide a valuable addition to the community, and was vital to the Pier’s ongoing sustainability after a tough year.
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Green light for new heritage pier at Brightlingsea!
Brightlingsea Town Council submitted blueprints for the new jetty at Brightlingsea Hard after working with Brightlingsea Harbour Commissioners on the £100,000 plan, which was mooted as a boost for the town’s economy. It added that the scheme would “preserve the past and complementing the natural beauty of the area”.
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Skegness Pier announces their first new attraction for 2021
Mellors Group started building a luxury venue, Playa at the Pier, which was expected to be “the ultimate summer hot-spot for families”. The pop-up, rooftop style venue would be the first of its kind in Skegness, according to Mellors and would offer cocktails, live music, theatre, and amazing views over the water when it opened to guests. The venue would also house stylish pool pods where visitors could enjoy a drink.
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Friends of Bangor Garth receive the keys to their Pier kiosk!
Chair of the group Avril Wayte was delighted to receive the key from the Deputy Mayor of Bangor Cllr Owen Hurcum and City Director for Bangor Iwan Williams. Avril Wayte said: “The Friends of Bangor Garth Pier is a charitable organisation set up last year in order to support the City Council to protect the pier for the future. The Council have very kindly allowed the Friends to have a kiosk on the pier to run a shop from which we will sell arts and crafts, including artwork, pottery, jewellery, glassware, all made locally to raise money to support the restoration fund for the pier in the future”.
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Blackpool North Pier’s new ‘Garden’ a hit with visitors
The sun was out and bosses at North Pier were inviting all to join them in The Garden – the resort’s latest new outdoor venue. The totally-transformed Garden was the ‘sister’ bar to Bloom located in what was North Pier’s old solarium.
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Brighton Palace Pier has 6000 visitors on first day of reopening!
The Pier welcomed more than 6,000 people back on its first day after lockdown – despite the cold weather and scatterings of snow. As lockdown restrictions eased, rides and outdoor attractions on the pier were able to open once again, with food and drink also available from its bars and restaurants outside and heated spaces to relax in.
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New cafe at Totland Bay Pier due to open next month
Developers said that the new Bay Cafe was expected to open in the middle of May – meaning work on the restaurant could continue so it could open next summer. Jane Catchpole, Assistant to the Director behind the project, said “We are hoping that it will be a destination that you can come and spend the whole day. Whether you are on the beach and want to grab a quick takeaway or come and have a really long special lunch at the restaurant. Bringing the pier back to life and putting Totland on the map again in terms of food and drink”.
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Delay to the construction of new Pier at Withernsea
Plans to build the first phase of a new pier in Withernsea were put on hold. It had been hoped to start construction work on a viewing platform at the end of March. But the Withernsea Pier and Promenade Association said the project had been delayed after fresh queries were raised by East Riding Council over the proposals. It also meant the cost of the first phase of the project could increase.
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BBC Antiques Road Trip film at Clacton Pier
The BBC’s Antiques Road Trip show headed to Clacton Pier to film for its next series. The programme follows pairs of experts as they head off across the country to try to find hidden gems which will make them a profit at auction. Experts Catherine Southon and Serhat Ahmet scoffed candy floss and enjoyed a stroll along the iconic seaside attraction’s decking during a six-hour visit.
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Consultation on future uses for Penarth Pier Pavilion generates a huge response
The council suggested using the building for a live music venue, an exhibition space, or a meeting space for talks, classes and after-school clubs. Mr Thomas said: “This is a thrilling opportunity to re-establish the pavilion as a focal point for Penarth and a space that the whole community can enjoy. We already have a number of exciting ideas for how that can be achieved but would also love to hear suggestions from residents as we enter a new era for this historic building.”
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Weston Grand Pier goes green by banning single-use plastic
The Grand Pier confirmed it would remove all single plastic packaging from the toys it sells following its first Weston Super Beach Clean event. More than 20 volunteers joined the attraction’s staff, who supplied equipment, in patrolling the beach and removing any litter found. Head of operations, Remy Haudecoeur revealed that an alarming amount of single-use plastic packaging was found during the group’s first outing – which has led to a change in the Grand Pier’s policy.
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Visitors ‘in heaven’ on Clacton Pier
Pier Oxley, one of the managers at Clacton Pier, said “People are just over the moon to be out and able to do something. We’re looking forward to a busy weekend. The next big milestone will be 17 May when we can reopen our indoor attractions. We’re hoping ‘staycations’ will be the thing for people this year. We’re working so hard to get our attractions back up and running.”
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NPS vote Clevedon Pier Of The Year 2021
Clevedon Pier and Heritage Trust chairman Phil Curme said the award was a ‘perfect tribute’ to all those who helped the landmark meet the challenges of the pandemic. “The award is a real vote of confidence and a great start for what we hope will be a very successful summer season. A big ‘thank you’ to all of the National Pier Society members who voted, and also to all those who in so many different ways played a part in helping Clevedon Pier meet the challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Pier Of The Year awarded to Clevedon Pier on Thursday 22nd April 2021.

Pic: Mark Kenyon
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New Clip n’ Climb attraction unveiled at Skegness Pier
The climbing experience featured 14 climbing walls or activities, so once visitors thought they had mastered the ‘Steam Punk’, they could move on to the ‘Skyscraper’ for a different climbing challenge. Speaking of the arrival of Clip ‘n Climb, Paige Harris, head of marketing at Mellors Group, said: “We are so excited to bring this new attraction to our beloved Skegness Pier and we cannot wait to see children of all ages and adults enjoying themselves at Clip ‘n Climb”.
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Hopes for Southend Pier upgrade to be completed by the summer
The plans would see a new restaurant installed in the Royal Pavilion, as well as new, environmentally trains added. Work was already underway to add a new kitchen to the Royal Pavilion, along with a bar and serving area. It was hoped work on the new restaurant would be completed by the end of June. A brand-new viewing platform, toilet block and additional windbreaks were also being installed ahead of the summer. Meanwhile, the diesel pier train, which had been in operation since 1986, was set to be replaced.
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Delay adds £60,000 to Withernsea Pier construction costs
In 2019, WPPA had been quoted £250,000 to complete stage one on a fixed-price basis with contractors. This contract expired in March this year. As a consequence, the cost of the project had surged by around £60,000 to bring the amount required to approximately £310,000. Aiming to conquer this shortfall in funding, the WPPA set up a GoFundMe to kickstart efforts to commence construction this autumn.
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Clacton Pier to celebrate 150th anniversary with a bang!
Clacton Pier was putting on eight free fireworks extravaganzas – with one every week during the school summer holidays. Director Billy Ball said the pier is the birthplace of Clacton, which was also celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. “We are looking at putting on a number of events and really want to make this year something special for both us and the town,” he said.
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Could Brighton Palace Pier be underwater by 2050?
A recent study by Climate Central, an independent organisation of leading scientists and journalists, found parts of the city and other areas in Sussex could be underwater within the next 30 years. On an interactive map released by the organisation, the beach, Brighton Marina and Brighton Palace Pier were all deemed as “below the water level” by 2050 due to rising sea levels.
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No ticket to Ryde as Island Line reopening delayed
A major scheme to improve the Island Line network between Ryde and Shanklin was delayed once again, with trains not expected to run until later in Summer with no fixed date given.
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