Weston Birnbeck – Report on a Formal NPS Visit to Birnbeck Pier
An extensive report with many photographs on the visit by the NPS to Birnbeck Pier to record the exciting reconstruction work being undertasken to bring the pier back into service.
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Cromer – History and Celebration
An extensive BBC article on the fascinating history of the pier and the multi-million pound refurbishment due next year to the temperature management system inside the theatre, which was often uncomfortably cold or hot.
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Bournemouth – Repair Tender Fails but Repairs Still Scheduled
A multi-million pound project to repair Bournemouth Pier, which was originally due to start in 2024, but faced multiple delays, is still to find a contractor to carry out the work.
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Eastbourne – “Sheikh’s Pier” in Forced Liquidation
In June, the Argus reported that Lions Pier Limited, operator of Eastbourne Pier, was issued a compulsory winding-up order on May 12, 2026 following a petition filed on March 25, 2026. Mr Abid Gulzar wassd reported to be the sole director of Lions Pier Limited on Companies House.
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Worthing – Concerns Towards Cigarette Fire Risk
The owner of the Perch on the Pier restaurant on Worthing Pier has raised concerns about fire safety, after a recent incident which is believed to have been caused by a discarded cigarette.
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Eastbourne Pier – Campaign Brought to Parliament
The MP for Eastbourne, Josh Babarinde, has launched a public campaign to ensure the long-term security of Eastbourne Pier, following the recent unwravelling of some of owner Sheikh Abid Gulzar’s business affairs, including that which the pier is an asset of. This led to a speech at Prime Minister’s Questions, which was responded to positively by the Deputy Prime Minister. Babarinde’s campaign seems to be a plea for the general provision of support for piers across the country, in view of considerable maintenance and operational expenses. In the case of Eastbourne, as the local Council acknowledge, the more critical situation at hand is to ensure that the official receiver delivers a satisfactory outcome where the pier remains open to the public thoughout any proceedings or sales which may or may not happen. For the time being, the pier remains fully open to the public.
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Weston-Super-Mare Birnbeck Pier – Update on Pier Operation Plans
A helpful update from North Somerset Council, giving some information on the ongoing planning towards the long-term operational plans for the pier as a public attraction. It is intended for the entire pier site to be managed by a single operator on a non-for-profit basis. Talks are presently ongoing with such attraction operators and heritage organisations to ensure that this arrangement is achievable in time for when the pier initially re-opens next Summer.
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Helensburgh Pier – Further Discussions Regarding Restoration
More meetings between Argyll & Bute Council, the Helensburgh Pier Company and P.S Waverley have taken place, raising more suggestions on how each party might cooperate to enable the restored pier to operate sustainably. Members of the Waverley confirmed that they might be open to paying a per-person fee towards the maintenance of the pier, whenever the Waverley calls at the pier. For the time being, the transfer of ownership to the Pier Company is still ongoing and is subject to the completion of another structural report later in the Summer.
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Hythe Pier – Ferry Service Acquired by Pier Company
Ashleigh Mutimear-MacMillan’s Hythe Pier Company has formally acquired the Hythe Ferry service, which had previously entered voluntary liquidation. This has had the considerable benefit of bringing all operational elements of the pier, including the railway, under a single owner, allowing the overriding intention for rejuvination to apply equally to all aspects of the pier. This is a further positive step towards securing the future of the ferry service, although the repairs to the pontoon is still to be achieved.
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Southend Pier – Electric Trains Still Broken and Useless
Nearly two years after the October 2024 collision which inevitably led to a chain of investigations and ongoing withdrawal of the electric trains from service, Southend City Council have confirmed that there is still no timescale for the electric trains to re-enter service. Considering the expense and technical advancement of the new trains, this is an exceptional situation which is surely courting much embarrasment. The “retired” diesel stock of 1986 continue to make up for the electric trains’ persistent uselessness, receiving a much greater demand than could ever have been imagined when the new trains were introduced in 2022. A council spokesman suggested that repairs still need to be signed off by the relevant safety authority and that some further “running and testing” is required, which does not sound like a process that would take particularly long, yet no timescale has been given. In the meantime, enjoy the 1.3 mile walk to the end (or use the old train if you need)!
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Southport Pier – Construction Work Imminent
Sefton Council have released a short but encouraging update, confirming that contractors are scheduled to arrive at the pier site in the next two weeks and that the early stages of dismantling will begin into July. With the eqivalent work at Birnbeck, it is still expected that the pier will reopen in 2027.
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Great Yarmouth Britannia Pier – Toilet Abuse
The owners of the Britannia Pier have drawn attention to the intolerable challenge of ongoing abuse and vandalism to their toilet facilities by so-called “visitors” to the pier. The men’s facilities have recently been refurbished; the ladies’ facilities were shortly to follow, but this has been postponed in view of the vandalism which has equally impacted both facilities. The owners are threatening the closure of the facilities if this animalistic behaviour continues. In the end, it might take a charged entry or “customers only” gated process to rectify the effects of this social malady.
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Blackpool North Pier – Sale Secured
A formal announcement and press release was made on Monday, confirming that the North Pier has been sold to leisure operator Okken Ltd. This is a relatively new company, owned by Paul Cooper. The new owners intend to commence a £10 million scheme of investment for the pier, including some structural renewal, refurbishments to the Theatre, and works to the pier entrance bar in line with the previous planning approval. All existing staff will be retained and it is suggested that, for 2026, there will be “business as usual”. Ultimately this would seem to be reassuring and encouraging news for the future of the pier, but of course, some applause should be reserved until the proposed investment materialises in practice. Further announcements on the proposed improvements are expected “in due course”.
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Clacton Pier – The “Clacton Live” Music Festival
Clacton Pier organised their first “Clacton Live” music Festival across three weekends during June, which proved to be a considerable success. Viewing the photographs, it can be seen that the arrangement of the stage on one side of the pier entrance platform was a wise choice; the focus of the events being half on the pier, half on the beach, visible/audible from along the seafront, and enjoying an additional grandstand view from the Venetian Bridge and adjoining gardens. With this placement, it is not surprising to see the entire seafront packed with attendees. Future events of this nature will be announced on Clacton Pier’s website.
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Helensburgh Pier – An Opinion on the Waterfront Developments
Related to the recent updates on Helensburgh Pier, linked is a detailed opinion article regarding Argyll and Bute’s intention to sell off part of the Waterfront site which adjoins the pier and is presently categorised as “Common Good Land”. The author criticises the Council’s reasoning for selling off the land and for the technicalities of the consultation. (I make no comment for I am not yet familiarised with this wider saga, but the article itself is informative.)
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