Warship plans for Southend Pier?
A historian backed calls for a warship at Southend Pier to help draw in visitors to the world-famous landmark – saying it tied in with the town’s rich maritime past. Independent councillor Ron Woodley, deputy leader of Southend Council, was pressing for a warship similar to HMS Belfast in London to be moored next to the pier as part of a vision to create a new “Golden Mile”.
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Second lockdown leads to job losses at Clacton Pier
Jobs would be lost at Clacton Pier during the “severe blow” of a second coronavirus lockdown – after bosses confirmed it would be “impossible” to keep all staff on. Billy Ball, director of the iconic seaside tourist attraction, said that while virtually all staff were kept on during the spring lockdown thanks to the government’s coronavirus job retention scheme, it would not be possible this time around.
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New webcam watches the comings and goings at Ryde Pier
Railcam UK, which puts cameras in strategic locations all around the UK, was launching two new ones at the Ryde Esplanade Hotel, showing the hovercraft, trains, ferries and buses at the busy hub..and beyond. The first camera would be a static view that would focus on Ryde Pier and the South Western Railway-operated Island Line.
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In praise of Florida’s new-look St Pete’s Pier
The new $56 million St. Pete Pier, which opened in July 2020, was a far cry from its “deadly boring” predecessor, to quote New York–based landscape architect Ken Smith of Ken Smith Workshop. Smith oversaw the creation of a beach and four major landscapes at the 12-acre St. Pete Pier, three of them cultural—the Lawn Bowl, the Tilted Lawn, and the Grove at the Pier Plaza—and the fourth, the Coastal Thicket, wilder in nature.
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Restoration of Ramsey Queen’s Pier makes superb progress
Another big lift operation took place at the weekend as the first phase of Ramsey Pier’s restoration headed towards a spring 2021 completion. Installation of H-beams in bay two was the final steelwork required for phase one of the project.
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Weston Grand Pier live-stream Christmas lights switch-on
Traditionally, residents would have attended a festive, family day out on Weston’s seafront – and staff at the Grand Pier were eager to match that feeling this year. Head of operations, Remy Haudecoeur said: “We are very excited to stage a free and live fundraiser through social media for all to watch from the comfort of their own sofa.” The live stream featured a live performance from the Lipsinki Brothers, with all proceeds raised going to the Children With Cancer charity.
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A long walk on a long pier!
Local reporter visits Southend Pier for the first time since childhood and is pleasantly surprised by what the pier has to offer. A lovely write-up for those missing their pier walks during lockdown.
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Repair works to begin at Clacton Pier
Clacton Pier was given the go-ahead to start repairing a damaged section of the historic seaside attraction. In February, a small part of the landmark’s ride deck disappeared into the sea following horrendous storms which battered the coastline. The reconstruction, however, was subsequently delayed due to certain permissions being required, which Mr Ball feared could impact negatively on the business. But nine months on and the Marine Management Organisation was now finally allowing pier bosses to start repairing the damaged ride deck.
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New website launched for Southend Pier
A new website dedicated to Southend Pier was launched to provide information on the history of the pier, upcoming events and raise the profile of Southend’s most famous visitor icon. The website was set up to give some insight into the history of Southend Pier with the aim of increasing local knowledge on the town’s world-famous pier.
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PS Waverley launches new fundraising appeal
An appeal for donations was made in a bid to ensure Waverley could sail again the following summer. Built in 1947, every year the vessel continued to defy expectations and keep sailing – but this year, after crashing into Brodick Pier on the Isle of Arran and after being hit particularly hard by Covid-19 restrictions, she was short of critical funds for winter maintenance work.
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Hythe Pier ferry offered financial support from local authorities
The ferry operator was thrown a £45,000 lifeline as it battled to survive the impact of the Covid-19 crisis. Three local authorities joined forces to support the Blue Funnel service between Hythe Pier and Town Quay in Southampton. The ferry was still recovering from the start of the pandemic when England went into lockdown for the second time earlier this month.
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Brighton West Pier features on Historic England’s annual ‘at risk’ list
The West Pier, brainchild of architect Eugenius Birch in 1864, was on the ‘at risk’ list though Historic England recognised the site was in “very bad” condition. It followed a fire which ripped through the site in 2003. As a result, the heritage group conceded that “the combination of significant damage and cost of repair make restoration from public funds uneconomic”.
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Eastbourne Pier new buildings investigated by planning officials
While pier owner Abid Gulzar had obtained planning permission from Eastbourne council for two new units similar to the existing Victorian Tea Rooms in the open deck area – as well as two kiosks as a like for like replacement to the previous kiosks lost in the July 2014 fire – concerns were raised by conservationists and council officers. And an Eastbourne council spokesperson confirmed an investigation was underway concerning the two new kiosk structures.
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Clacton Pier ready for a cracking Christmas!
Bosses at the landmark said a programme of work had continued during the second lockdown to ensure that the festive activities would be better than ever – with hundreds of new decorations, a purpose-built Santa’s grotto, and animatronic characters. Pier director Billy Ball said that every effort has been made to create a very special North Pole experience at the landmark.
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Image of Brighton Palace Pier wins competition
The captivating photo, taken by Michael Marsh, of the Grade II-listed Brighton Palace Pier on a stormy day impressed judges and was named the best photo in the year’s competition. The awards celebrate some of the world’s most incredible historical landmarks and cultural sites. For this year’s competition, photographers were asked to submit images they’ve taken in the past as many people haven’t been able to travel this year. The competition received a record number of entries.
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Repair works at Totland Bay Pier progressing apace!
Charlie Kearns, of the Totland Pier Company, confirmed: “The cafe build is progressing well. We are hoping to be in the ‘dry’ just after Christmas ready for a Spring opening. Having received planning only two weeks ago, at the other end of the pier we have now successfully re-piled the 17x15m steel piles (2.6 tonne each) which will support the restaurant building. We are progressing well and planning the next two civil phases of the Pier Head, before we can start building the structure.”
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Florida’s St Pete’s Pier nominated for best new attraction!
USA Today nominated the new attraction for its 2020 best new attractions award alongside other notable attractions including Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the new home of the Las Vegas Raiders, and Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport, Mississippi. The pier opened to the public on July 6 after a few delays due to Covid-19. This USA Today award is the second travel-based award St. Pete has earned this year. In October it landed on Conde Nast Traveler’s 2020 Reader’s Choice Awards for best large U.S. cities.
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Weston Grand Pier struggles with further restrictions
Weston’s Grand Pier owner admitted a lack of stable visitors to the Grand Pier throughout the year had left many uncertainties looming over the seaside attraction. Michelle Michael MBE had hoped to welcome residents back to the Grand Pier on December 3, but the Government announcement that 99 per cent of the UK would enter tier 2 and 3 following November’s lockdown prevented this from happening. North Somerset had been placed under a ‘very high level’ of alert, tier 3, which wouldf be reassessed on December 16.
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