Weston Birnbeck Pier – £10 Million Additional Funding
It was noted, in previous months, that North Somerset Council estimated a funding shortfall of over £11 million, with regards to the ongoing restoration work at Birnbeck Pier. A funding application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund was promptly submitted, and the success of this application was grandly announced at an event at the pier on Monday. The planning and funding for the Birnbeck Project has, therefore, been greatly successful thus far and may well act as a model for similar such work in the future.
This event marks the 160th Anniversary of the laying of the pier’s foundation, on the 28th October 1864. Numerous guests were invited to attend speeches by members of North Somerset Council, the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
North Somerset Council have since announced that proposed stabilisation works to the cliffs at the pier’s shoreward end have begun. These cliffs divide the Pier Master’s Cottage from Birkett Road, and for the time being involves the installation of new rock bolts and stabilisation meshes.
The Pier Webcam seemed to be offline over the last few days, but (as of Thursday morning) is now reinstated.
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Read More (Council Statement)
Read More (Cliff Stabilisation)
Deal Pier – Structural Repairs Begin
Dover District Council are embarking on a 12-week repair programme for the reinstatement of the Deal Pier’s “Lower Deck”, which has been closed to the public since April. This work will involve the renewal of the access steps and structural beams, costing £140,000 in total. Public access to the main sections of the pier and restaurant will not be affected.
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Walton Pier – Minor Storm Damage
Isolated cases of decking loss has been reported at Walton-on-the-Naze, following heavy weather conditions in the last week. Pier management have mentioned that these lost decking boards will be promptly replaced; and indeed a rolling scheme of decking renewal has been in place for a number of years. As reported previously, the outer half of the seaward deck is closed to the public and the RNLI seem no longer to operate from the pier.
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Southend Pier – Railway Operations Affected During Investigations
Formal investigations are underway following the accident on the pier railway earlier this month. Whilst this is ongoing, the train involved in the collision is out of action. The circumstance is quite unfortunate since it has been said that the second of the two trains is… also out of action due to a mechanical fault. Therefore, the railway is presently being served by one of the semi-retired diesel stock of 1986. The recent articles on the investigations do clarify the present operational status of the railway.
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Hastings and Great Yarmouth Wellington Piers – Ongoing Planning Procedures
Each pier is currently progressing with planning applications to their respective councils, and recently consultee comments have been received for each. In both cases, there are indeed issues to address:
At Hastings (HS/LB/24/00703), Mr. Gulzar is proposing a mirrored copy of the existing Eastern Pavilion, to recreate the impression of matching pavilions on each side of the deck, as was evident before the 2010 fire. A sensible proposal, in theory, although the function and internal layout of the new pavilion is unresolved. Also, the roofs and domes of each pavilion will be painted gold, and partially used as platforms for solar panels. Balustrades will also be painted, in work which has already begun, and an existing shed will be converted to a toilet block. The proposals have received numerous comments, including several detailed and well-informed objections which highlight the fact that the sheds were previously allowed on a temporary basis and are now unauthorised. Formal comments from Hastings Borough Council’s conservation officer were published on the 24th October and echo many of these concerns, whilst recommending that proposals for the gold paint and solar panels be withdrawn and that further details to the proposals be required.
At Great Yarmouth (06/24/0213/F), the proposals for Wellington Pier were previously notified in this newsletter. Consultee comments have since been received from Historic England, Highways, Environment Agency, Environment Services, Ecology, Strategic Planning, Anglian Water and Great Yarmouth’s conservation department. The proposal, for a very substantial South extension off the existing amusement arcade, has received strong objections from both the Conservation officer and Historic England, and are unlikely to be approved in their current form. The largely unresolved elevational treatment to the South and East (looking over the beach) were of particular concern. The Conservation officer offers an interesting suggestion, for a detached amusement building at the South end of the pier site, against the boundary with the Model Village, and linked to the existing building with a colonnade, forming a public plaza between. Whether Wellington Pier management would be content with the practicalities of dividing the amusements into two detached units remains to be seen.
Great Yarmouth Wellington
Hastings
Weston Birnbeck Pier – Project Procurement to be Discussed
The complex administrative procedures regarding the regeneration of the Birnbeck Pier Site continues, with a Council meeting to be held on the 12th November. The need for this meeting, on the Birnbeck case, arises following a sudden change in the working relationship between North Somerset Council and the RNLI. Previously agreed as a joint employment arrangement between the two parties, the RNLI have since requested to withdraw their contractual involvement in the pier’s structural repair programme. They will still be involved in developing the RNLI infrastructure on the island, and the previously-agreed funding will not be affected. Staffing and technical support will also be offered, as before. Therefore, North Somerset Council have become sole employers for the pier restoration contract; thus there is now a need for the Council to agree contracts for the restoration of the pier structure (i.e. the pier bridge, for which planning permission and Listed Building Consent are still under determination). Work to complete this process is underway at some speed, with the Council well aware that until the tendering process is completed and contracts secured, there is a risk that the project cost will rise above the amount of secured funding. If this becomes the case, constrained by the Council’s pledge not to utilise its own funds on the project, the project will be cancelled. Needless to say, avoiding this eventuality is the principle objective.
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Agenda Report
Roker Pier – Storm Repairs Still Waiting for Preparation Work
Roker Pier, at the entrance to the Port of Sunderland, was closed in 2023 following storm damage. Whilst funding was allocated by Sunderland Council earlier this year, work cannot start until the necessary works have been given permission at planning-level. Such an application is presently in preparation, so works will not begin for several months still. It may, however, be re-opened by Summer 2025.
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Bournemouth Pier – “Local Pier Perks” Offer for Residents
Residents of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole can apply for a year of discounts at the pier. It only applies to residents of a BH postcode and costs £1 to apply. This gives 20% off the price from most of the pier’s outlets, but does not seem to affect the £1.65 adult admission charge.
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Clevedon Pier – There are Ghosts…
This article was released on the 31st October, so reference to all things ghoulish and celestial is inevitable. Boo! …
Sensational reports of unexplained men on the pier, in the early hours of the morning, were enthusiastically churned out in 2012. Presumably it was confirmed not to be a member of the pier’s maintenance staff, undertaking routine inspections of the decking or repainting the railings. Howl… OOO…
A local supernatural hobbyist’s group have since reported that there is very definitely “supernatural activity” on Clevedon Pier, complete with a “Level 2 Spirit”, no less! A pier volunteer, spending a quiet day on the waffle boards, encountered mutterings from the Bell Room, the space under the Pagoda Cafe.
In any case, do visit Clevedon Pier if you are keen to settle your curiosities on the pier’s paranormal potential. Even stay in the nearby holiday homes on the cliff, where you can meticulously examine untoward happenings on the pier overnight, as I did in 2019.
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In Memoriam: Timothy West CBE
We are saddened to learn of the death of our Patron and dear friend Timothy West at the age of 90. Tim has been a decades long supporter of the National Piers Society and enthusiastically supported all aspects of maritime heritage. Our thoughts are especially with his devoted wife of 61 years, Prunella Scales, and his entire family. One of our finest actors with a long and distinguished career, and a true gentleman who always had time for everybody, Tim’s loss will be felt the world over, by stage, screen and our Society. May he Rest in Peace, and Godbless.
Obituary (The Guardian)
Helensburgh Pier – Charity set up by Campaigners
Following numerous campaigns for the restoration of Helensburgh Pier, after being deemed unviable by Argyll and Bute Council, a new charitable company has been registered in order to allow fundraising and formal discussions with the Council to take place. It may well be that, once their preliminary discussions with the Council are concluded, their long-term intention will be for acquisition and restoration of the pier. The three directors include John Beveridge MBE, founder of the Loch Lomond Steamship Company; and Bill Purdon, a former marine project engineer.
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Worthing Pier – Repair Works Underway
Worthing Borough Council have announced that preparatory work has begun in the week commencing the 11th November, ahead of the spring tides which are anticipated to take place on Thursday. For the time being, a temporary supporting structure is to be imminently erected, theoretically allowing the pier to re-open to the public.
The work can be monitored with the provided webcam link, which gives a good-quality fixed view of the pier. The affected pile is located one cluster back from the pier head, with one of the four piles in the cluster missing. Observing the webcam on Thursday morning, three new piles appear to have been installed to the East of the affected trestle.
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Webcam
Birnbeck Pier – Update on Cliff Repairs
North Somerset Council have issued an update to confirm that repairs to the foreshore cliffs are underway and progressing well. The work, which includes demolition work to a redundant modern outbuilding, is expected to be completed by the end of the month.
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Clacton Pier – A Successful Fireworks Night
This year saw Clacton Pier’s first “Bonfire Night” held on a weeknight, the 5th November taking place on Tuesday this year. The tactic of adjusting the display times to account for this being a “school night” seem to have been successful, and visitors were able to observe the display on both sides of the pier head, as well as from Clacton’s beach. About 17,000 people, unable to arrive in person, watching a live video stream of the event. This video is still available to watch on Clacton Pier’s Facebook page. Filmed in portrait orientation, it depicts the first of two firework displays of the night.
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Two Articles Behind Paywalls
Provided are links to two recent articles which would certainly be of considerable interest normally. A summary cannot be given in these cases because, in my case, the content in each is restricted by paywalls.
“Britannia Pier (Great Yarmouth) revamp begins with demolition of building. Work has started on a £1.8 million transformation of a ‘left behind’ Great Yarmouth landmark. ”
“Bournemouth Pier brings in over £1m for BCP Council. BCP COUNCIL has taken in more than £1m in ticket sales from Bournemouth Pier, figures obtained by the Echo show. ”
Do try the provided links; if you have not recently viewed any articles from the associated news websites, they might be kind enough to grant you one “complimentary article”!
Britannia Pier
Bournemouth Pier
Worthing Pier – Further Repair Delays
The installation of a temporary trestle structure underneath Worthing Pier’s neck has so far progressed swiftly, considering the complexity of the work involved. The fact that the pier is a Grade-II listed structure and the damaged area only accessible to construction plant at particularly low tides has meant that the operation could potentially have been greatly drawn out in the preparation phase. Now it is almost completed and final weldings and additions of bracing elements are in progress. Poor weather earlier this week caused some delays, however, making it impossible to complete the work this week. Contractors are scrambling to ensure that the work is completed before the spring tide window closes; meanwhile it will probably be at least one more week before the pier can reopen.
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Hythe Pier Sold
Blue Funnel have sold Hythe Pier to a local Councillor of Hythe and Dibden Parish Council, Ashleigh Mutimear-MacMillan. She has previously been involved with fundraising and promotion towards the Pier and the Hythe Ferry, and has now formed the Hythe Pier Company. Thus far, it seems that the Hythe Pier Heritage Association will continue to be involved in the good work they have been noted for previously, with the new owner keen to make the most out of the site’s potential for events to raise funds for ongoing restoration. The Hythe Ferry remains frustratingly suspended for the time being; the damaged pontoon presumably being the responsibility of “Red Funnel”, rather than “Blue Funnel”.
The second link leads to a detailed and individual account of the pier’s history and conception… rather sentimental, but enjoyable to read.
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Read More (Pier History)
Paignton Pier – An Extended Christmas Season and Festive Lighting
After what seems like an undue time period, Paignton Pier has received some much-deserved media coverage. Pier management hope to boost the out-of-season amusement trade and opportunities for their employees by extending their operating season. The essence of Torquay’s “Bay of Lights” will also be extended by the pier, with a comprehensive array of Christmas lights being ceremonially “switched on” this Saturday at 4PM. The article speaks very enthusiastically on what will be on offer during this festive period and the anticipated effect it will have on the atmosphere of the seafront.
The pier’s Facebook page shows an array of quite interesting posts on the pier’s various works and improvements. A particularly notable example from earlier this Summer was “The Heart of Paignton”, a large wire mesh heart installed on the pier deck, on which “love locks” can be affixed. The clever thing about this is that the necessary locks are obtained from a “win everytime” claw machine, £5 per go, and the funds will contribute towards installing a defibrillator on the pier. A rather lovely idea, which both tackles the somewhat tricky issue of uncontrolled “love locks” and acts as a pleasurable form of fundraising.
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Clacton Pier – A Visit from the MP
The MP for Clacton-on-Sea, Nigel Farage, was invited to the Pier to discuss the effect of government policies on the operation of the pier’s amusement offerings. Billy and Elliott Ball were joined by presidents of BACTA, the British Amusement Catering Trade Association to discuss with the MP the specific pressures and challenges they face in their everyday work. The importance of the Gambling White Paper being passed, previously prepared by the previous government, was also highlighted. The meeting at the pier was declared a success and future meetings will likely take place.
Meanwhile, Farage visited a local fish and chip shop to endorse their shortlisting in the National Fish & Chip Awards 2024. “The Hook”, Clacton, is presently in the top 20 shortlist.
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Fish and Chips
Southport Pier – Planning Application for Structural Repairs Submitted
In a surprising but undoubtedly pleasing development, Sefton Council have submitted a Listed Building Application for the substantial reconstruction of the pier’s decking structure and other associated repair works. The provided documents are comprehensive and the following observations can be made from them:
- * The engineering consultants’ principal objective is not to repeat the failings of the previous restoration work, and instead to encourage as great a design life as can be expected in a marine environment. 60 years for the steel components and 25 years for the timber components have been suggested. The choice of structural design is judged to be optimal for reducing ongoing maintenance costs and simplifying access arrangements for the same.
- * All of the steel trusses and beams will be replaced with new elements to a completely new structural design. The most provocative alteration upon the existing is the choice of castellated beams in a galvanised finish. These are traditionally viewed as the most unsightly type of beam that could be installed on a Grade-II listed pier, however they are a highly cost-effective choice, with good structural characteristics, reasonably free of points for moisture to collect, and can be galvanised. Examples of such beams can be found at Llandudno Pier and Southsea South Parade Pier (installed in the 1970s in both cases). It is suggested in the documentation that the two outer-facing beams might be finished in an additional marine-grade coating, although this will only be confirmed at planning-condition level. If such coatings are applied, more likely than not in a black colour, the appearance of the beams will be considerably improved. Alternative beam designs, to replicate the existing beams more closely, were variously discounted due to risks of water penetration, structural weaknesses, or complexities in construction which eliminate the possibility of the steel being galvanised.
- * The decking layout will be redesigned with a simplified structure which is more practical to maintain and less prone to moisture-based deterioration. Ekki decking boards will be provided with radiused corners to prevent excessive weathering, and the elimination of the existing tram tracks will further reduce the chance of premature failure. The existing decking cantilever, along the North side of the pier, will be replaced with a centralised cantilever of approximately 0.5m on each side.
- * The balustrades will be redesigned to affix directly to the steel structure beneath the deck, as opposed to directly on the timber structure as is the present arrangement. Three existing variants to the balustrade/handrail design are noted; in the proposed work all balustrades will be remade in a standard design, matching those that presently run along the North side of the pier. (Before reading this, I never realised that there were three different balustrade styles on Southport Pier!)
This planning application was validated by the Council’s planning department on the 25th October and is expected to reach a decision by the 20th December. Generally a planning approval notice will expire after three years of issuing the notice, so hopefully funding can be sought by then!
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Planning Application Page
Llandudno Pier – Award Winner in the Go North Wales Tourism Awards
Adam Williams of Tir Prince Leisure Group, owner of Llandudno Pier, has recently won an award in a ceremony celebrating the best of North Wales tourism. This award is entitled “Service to Tourism”, and his recent work and investment has certainly been that. Aside from extensive efforts to keep the hospitality offerings of the pier up-to-date and as good for visitors as it can be, considerable investment in structural maintenance is clear to see and is regularly shared on the pier’s Facebook page. The following direct quote from the article resonates well with those who have enjoyed the pier for themselves, especially those who met Mr. Williams at the Society’s AGM earlier this year:
Jim Jones, the chief executive of North Wales Tourism, added: “Adam is a real-life hero of the tourism and hospitality industry in North Wales whose drive and ingenuity are helping to turbocharge the visitor economy as well as preserving a precious part of our tourism heritage.”
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Worthing Pier – Hopefully just a few more days?
Worthing pier seems to have been covered by news articles every few days for the last month, such is the public anxiety for this important amenity to be re-opened. At present, the main structural work appears to be completed, such that low-tide working is no longer required. A scaffolding platform has been erected under the affected decking to allow final welding work to take place – no specific date for re-opening has been suggested (probably just as well, given the unpredictable weather conditions recently), but it seems that there is very little left for the contractors to do. (Image: Adur & Worthing Councils)
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Hastings Pier – Piertown Departs, Planning Application Fails and Christmas Cancelled
Hastings Pier… suffice to say, a book could be written on the history of the pier between the years 2016-2024, and it would be twice as long as Steve Peak’s fine book on its pre-2016 history. The most recent update to its modern history is the departure of Piertown, a venture led by Mark Dickson and Damien Fell. This well-intentioned project sought to maximise the pier’s event offerings, and indeed during the Summers of 2023 and 2024 the events attracted considerable crowds. Maintenance issues with the pier structure have, however, been a persistent concern for many who have observed the pier over the long term. More recently, safety procedures during the pier’s events have been condemned by the local ambulance service, prompting a licencing review in September. This latter circumstance related to Max Wolf, director of HPIER Ltd, Designated Premises Supervisor of Hastings Pier, and leaseholder of Hastings Pier from the freeholder Sheikh Abid Gulzar, director of Lions Hastings Pier Ltd. Piertown, according to the Hastings Independent Press article, obtained a leasehold for the running of pier events from leaseholder HPIER, themselves leaseholders of the pier from Lions Hastings Pier. They have decided to depart due to escalating costs. Previous leaseholders of the pier, Music First Events, left the pier after two years in 2022 due to increased rent. They were responsible for turning the fortunes of the pier’s programming and developing “the largest beer garden in the UK” during the Coronavirus pandemic. An ice rink on the pier was due to open on the 22nd November; needless to say, this has been cancelled as with all future Christmas programming on the pier.
For all this confusing chaos, it would seem that the Mediterranean restaurant Casa de Pier might be forming a steady and reliable constant on the pier for the time being. Aside from questionable logos on the pavilion frontage, it seems to have a good reputation and is still indicating enthusiastic activity from the West Pavilion, amid the apparent confusion around it. Elsewhere, the Hastings webcam (hosted by Beaming… out of action at the time of writing) shows the outer sections of the pier seemingly closed off and the pier head strewn with shipping containers and wire mesh fencing, once used to form an enclosed arena for events.
If all this “news” was not enough for one week, Hastings Borough Council have thrown out the recently-reported planning applications for the new pavilion, solar panels and all the gold paint. The application was not determined due to insufficient and incorrect information being provided, and evidently the applicant was not in a position to rectify the highlighted issues.
All that can now be asked of the pier is… what will happen next? A question which seems to be asked almost every year since 2017, alas.
Read More (The Argus)
Read More (Hastings Online Times)
Read More (Hastings Independent Press)
Read More (Sussex Express)
Brighton i360 Tower – Filed for Administration
Not only are some of our horizontal piers in trouble, but vertical piers are too. The i360 tower in Brighton has finally reached a state of financial collapse, after reportedly under-performing in terms of visitor number almost since its opening in 2016. It is undoubtedly an impressive structure and perhaps has become integrated into Brighton’s suite of architectural icons, but one which has turned out to have cost the city a considerable sum. The City Council agreed to loan £36 million to facilitate the construction of the tower after the Recession. This has not yet been repaid to the Council, and now they are beginning to realise the repercussions of this on their budget. Reactions in the political world have been of verbal warfare, as can be appreciated in the linked article.
The supposed theory behind the venture was to recreate “The Bilbao Effect” (originating with the Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao), where a bizarre and fantastical pile can be erected in given place… and then the people will come. The article highlights “The Public”, West Bromwich, as another example of this in action. Ironically, this Black Country arts centre also ultimately failed as its intended function.
For the time being, the tower will remain open as a new buyer is sought. If this proves unsuccessful, then Brighton will henceforth be known as the town of one flourishing pier and three defunct “piers”; hopefully this will not come to pass and a sustainable business model can be found for it. Having visited the tower in 2018, it is certainly an impressive asset for Brighton’s tourist industry and the distorted reflections on the underside of the observation pod are quite thrilling to see (as per the picture).
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Ryde Pier – Christmas Market Planned
Christmas programming will be flourishing at some of our piers, including at Ryde this year. Wightlink have organised a Christmas Market on the pier during the 14th and 15th December, and all stallholder fees will be donated to the Mountbatten Hospice.
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