The next stage of refurbishment plans at Aberystwyth Pier approved
Plans were approved for Aberystwyth pier, to give “dramatic views” and an “al fresco dining experience” on the seafront. Ceredigion County Council planners gave the green light to plans for The Royal Pier to remove seven windows at the rear of the building and install full-height, fully glazed bi-fold doors and glazed balustrades.
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The transformation of Skegness Pier begins
New photos taken at the end of February showed that the pier’s new owners had begun refurbishment work on the pier’s entrance building. James Mellors Snr, Managing Director of the Mellors Group said: “It is a very exciting time for our family. We pride ourselves on delivering the highest standard of attractions and we have some fantastic investment plans to elevate Skegness Pier and propel it to the next level, immediately”.
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West Pier relic goes under the hammer on eBay
A piece of the now ruined West Pier became available on the online marketplace for a “buy it now” price of £850. In a description of the item, the current owner said: “What a piece of history. A surviving column that once stood as part of the famous Brighton West Pier since 1866. This column formed the support for the glass windows that made the windbreak in the rotunda right on the end of the pier. This really is very special. It is rare to have a whole complete column, and a lovely addition is that it still has the original putty and the odd pieces of sea-etched glass still intact”.
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Council sets to work on Penarth Pier Pavilion
When previous operators Penarth Arts and Crafts Ltd surrendered its lease, the Council stepped in to manage the pavilion and protect it as a community asset. Plans for the future were being drawn up, with the intention to make residents very much part of that process. But, firstly, a programme of cleaning, maintenance and repair was underway to ensure the pavilion is in top condition for its next exciting chapter.
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Pier features prominently in Bognor Regis regeneration proposals
A floating casino, centre for imagination and climatorium were some of the regeneration ideas for Bognor Regis submitted to Arun District Council. The previous year organisations and interested parties were invited to present their proposals to all councillors and the results were finally published. The presentations were set to be discussed by Arun councillors and what steps they wanted to take to advance regeneration activity in the town.
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Weston Grand Pier has developed a whole new seaside treat!
It’s everything special about the seaside in a cone and we think everyone is going to want to try one. The new Ice and Cream outlet opened on Weston-super-Mare Grand Pier was serving up a very special treat – the Great British seaside cone. Bosses at the pier had spent lockdown creating the new takeaway outlet and designed the treat to celebrate the best of the traditional British seaside. The treat involves Mr Whippy Ice Cream and candy floss with customers also able to add their own seaside favourites such as rock, fudge, doughnuts, chocolate flakes and even popcorn as a topping.
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The debate continues on whether Helensburgh Pier could and should be saved
Community councillor Norman McNally told last week’s meeting that “there might be a much better way of improving facilities in Helensburgh than putting all our efforts into the front of the pier”. And his colleague Nigel Millar warned: “The pier was put there for a purpose a long time ago. That purpose has disappeared, and I think we’re now scratching around to find a use for something that has no use at all. But the pier is such an iconic feature of the town that I think the public, with the arguments before them, should have the right to have a say in the final decision.”
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Work begins on Ryde Pier railway upgrade
Work to upgrade the railway line on Ryde Pier began as part of the £26 million upgrade project, which would see the overhaul of Island Line tracks. New trains had already started arriving on the Island as the scheme progressed. Subcontractors were installing train protection and warning system grids to improve the performance of the line. The rail sleepers were also being treated with a formula to preserve the timbers and keep them safe.
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A round-up of the best piers to visit after 12th April…according to The Sun!
Piers were preparing to open up again on April 12. These historic landmarks are the beating heart of entertainment and family fun in many seaside resorts.
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Campaign to save Hythe Pier Ferry continues as Government refuses to offer support
The government did not offer any extra cash after the plight of the under-threat Hythe ferry was raised with ministers by New Forest East MP Julian Lewis. It had been announced by operator Blue Funnel that it had “run out of money” and the service, which was currently not running due to lockdown, would not be starting up again when restrictions eased.
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Brighton’s piers feature in ITV drama ‘Grace’
ITV’s Grace was filmed in Brighton and Hove in 2020 with city landmarks – including Brighton Palace Pier and the i360 – playing a starring role in the adaptation. People from across the city expressed their “pride” in the city, as viewers across the country tuned in to watch the first instalment of the crime series.
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A great look-back at the star power of Morecambe’s Central Pier!
If it were still standing, Morecambe’s Central Pier would merit not one, not two but three blue plaques recalling famous people or events. The pavilion was destroyed in a spectacular blaze in 1933 only to be rebuilt and re-opened in fine Art Deco style. Many still remember dancing the night away under the curved ceiling of the Marine Ballroom or going to see Starlights in the Concert Pavilion – literally an end-of-the-pier show.
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Piers remind us that this weekend is Census weekend
Piers around the coast started lighting up purple to remind people to complete their census on March 21st. Bournemouth Pier was lit in purple, the Census 2021 brand colour, from Friday, March 19, through to Sunday, March 21, and also had rolling text displayed across its building in support of the census weekend.
At Clacton Pier managing director, Billy Ball said he is delighted the landmark attraction has been chosen as one of the 100 flagship buildings for the campaign.
Hastings Pier to reopen with new operators
Hastings Pier announced it would be opening the following month and staying open for seven days a week. Event planners Music First Events were given a temporary tenure to operate Hastings Pier during the summer of 2020 but were given the option to continue if successful. They announced that they have taken on a three-year lease which wwould give them control of operations on the popular landmark. The first task would be reopening, which was due to happen on April 12.
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Weston Grand Pier provides ‘safe space’
Bosses at Weston’s Grand Pier designated it a safe space for those feeling vulnerable following the death of Sarah Everard. The Grand Pier said it had been “very affected” by reports of what happened to Ms Everard, and wanted members of the community to know a safe space was available to them. “We believe little things like this can help our community. No one should feel insecure at night when walking home” said Remy Haudecoeur, Grand Pier’s Head of Operations.
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Pantomime returns to Blackpool North Pier this summer!
What summer 2021 really needs is a sprinkling of pantomime magic – oh, yes it does! And renowned theatre company LHK Productions was set to get tongues wagging with its summer treat Aladdin and His Magic Ring, which would be presented exclusively for grown-ups. The adult-themed production would open at North Pier’s Joe Longthorne Theatre on July 24 for a month-long run, with television personality Kim Woodburn announced in the role of the Genie.
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Councils step-in to rescue Hythe Pier ferry
Three councils pledged to provide £67,500 of funding to keep the “vital” Hythe ferry afloat. New Forest District Council, Hampshire County Council and Southampton City Council each confirmed they wwould give the service £7,500 a month for three months. Lee Rayment, manging director of operator Blue Funnel Ferries, had warned that the ferry faces going under without help, and said he was “pleased” at the new funding pledges, adding they would enable the boat to be refitted completely for when the service resumes, which is likely to be in June.
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New cafe opens at Penarth Pier Pavilion
The Vale of Glamorgan Council was opening a café at Penarth Pier Pavilion as plans for the iconic building started taking shape. Operated by the council’s Big Fresh Catering Company, the café would offer a range of drinks, including own-brand coffee blends, and a menu featuring locally-sourced ingredients where possible. Items would initially be available on a take-away only basis, with space for customers inside once restrictions allowed.
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Weston Grand Pier wins two tourism awards!
The Grand Pier scooped two tourism awards in one of its most challenging years during the coronavirus pandemic. Owner, Michelle Michael acknowledged the challenging period for the hospitality sector but said staff were looking forward to welcoming back visitors soon. She said: “We were very proud to be finalists, and winning two awards was a great boost for us following a difficult year for our industry”.
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Hastings Pier to become a football fan-park!
A ‘fan park’ was launched so football enthusiasts could watch Euro 2021 matches under Covid guidelines. Sporting events company, 4TheFans said its fan park on Hastings Pier wwould allow football fans to safely come back together and enjoy the tournament. The company said fans attending any of the six events would experience ‘a genuine big-game atmosphere with huge anti-glare screens and a world-class sound system’.
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A wonderful look-back at New Brighton Pier
It was 44 years since New Brighton had a pier, but it was still fondly remembered by many. There was plenty of debate about what should be done to boost the seaside town, with talk of bringing back the outdoor swimming pool, the tower, and of course the pier.
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Boats return to Harwich Ha’Penny Pier
Harwich’s famous antique pier would be welcoming visiting leisure vessels from Monday, March 29. It came as part of the government’s unlocking plan as lockdown restrictions continue to be lifted. Leisure vessels would not be permitted to moor overnight on the pontoons.
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Restoration work completed at Harwich Ha’Penny Pier
Restoration works worth tens of thousands of pounds on one of Harwich’s historic landmarks were completed. They were completed in a bid to help preserve the town’s iconic Ha’penny Pier. The six-week refurbishment cost £90,000. The project replaced perished beams and decking at the entrance to the pier, with Essex-based firm Amicus Civil Engineering carrying out the works
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New Beach Bar to open at Lowestoft Claremont Pier
A new beach bar, with an upstairs sports bar, ice cream parlour and outdoor viewing area was preparing to open on Lowestoft’s seafront And the new business would be a family affair, with Victoria Manning and husband Michael running the bar alongside her sister, her sister’s husband and their parents. The former Zoo Bar premises was set to be transformed by the family into Piranha Joes Beach Bar.
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The redevelopment of Skegness Pier continues!
Work on the transformation of Skegness Pier was well underway with brand new attractions already confirmed for 2021. The Pier went up for sale in September last year and was sold to new owners Mellors Group. Just weeks after the sale, Mellors confirmed there would be brand new attractions coming to the pier, which were set to be announced in April, and new images showed works on the revamp were already in full swing.
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Anniversary of Brighton’s West Pier fire
It was 18 years ago on March 28, 2003, that flames tore through the Grand Old Lady, sealing her fate forever. Horrified crowds gathered on the beach to watch as it burned. Arsonists were to blame but fire service officials said they would not risk lives by putting investigators on the site and so the truth about what happened has never been revealed.
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