The ‘Blackpool South Jetty Company’ was formed in 1864 and work began in 1867 to the design of J.I.Mawson. It opened on 30th May 1868 as the South Pier, changing its name when the Victoria (now South) Pier opened. Its 1518 foot length included a 400 foot low-water jetty. The entrance was altered in 1877 and 1903.The overall length was reduced to 1118 feet when the jetty was demolished in the 1970s.

The ‘People’s Pier’ was renowned for its entertainment, particularly open-air dancing which was very popular before World War Two. Most of the centre platform became an open-air theatre in 1949, and the pier-head dance floor became the New Theatre in 1967. Dancing was moved indoors to the shoreward end White Pavilion (built 1903) until 1966 when it was demolished to make way for the Dixieland Palace/Golden Goose complex which opened in 1967. This was damaged by fire in 1973 but was rebuilt. Today, this entrance building houses an arcade and a nightclub.

In 1986, the theatre was modernised as part of a £400,000 scheme and became “Maggie May’s”. A 108 foot Big Wheel was added in 1990 after strengthening: total cost estimated at £750,000

Other facilities included dodgems, waltzers, a family amusement centre, kiosks and fishing for permit holders.

July 2009 – Funfair closed while ride accident investigated
In July 2009, the Pier funfair was closed for the day while health and safety officers inspected the Crazy Frog ride after one of the arms of the ride broke free and two visitors were injured.

March 2015 – Blackpool Central and South Piers put up for sale
In March 2015, Cuerden Leisure announced that they were selling Blackpool’s South and Central Piers and the Grade II listed pier at Llandudno Pier.The three piers were put on the market for a collective price of £12.6m.

July 2015 – Blackpool’s South and Central Piers sold to Sedgwick family
In July 2015, Blackpool’s Central and South piers were sold the Sedgwick family, who had bought the town’s North Pier in 2011.Mr Sedgwick who was reported as paying £8 million, already operated rides on both piers. The National Piers Society commented at the time that both piers were in good order and trading successfully.

April 2017 – Blackpool Central Pier’s Big Wheel gets £500,000 refurbishment
April 2017 saw work underway to rebuild the ferris wheel on Central Pier. The £500,000 overhaul of the 33 metre high ride commenced with its dismantling as part of its regular maintenance programme in November 2016 and it was due back during the month.

October 2017 – Blackpool’s three Piers added to World Monuments Watch List
Tim Wardley, chairman of the National Piers Society, said: “This is an opportunity for Blackpool to lead the way in a dialogue that has the potential to help other piers across the country and to raise the profile of the difficult situation many of them are in today.”

March 2018 – 150th birthday plans afoot for Blackpool Central Pier!
In March 2018, details were revealed of the planning for a host of festivities to mark the Central Pier’s 150th anniversary. Blackpool’s Central pier first opened to the public on May 30th 1868.

May 2018 – Bumper Bank Holiday weekend for Blackpool’s three piers!
The hottest early May bank holiday on record, brought a bumper crop of visitors to Blackpool seafront. Peter Sedgwick, who owns all three of Blackpool’s piers, said it was the busiest weekend he had seen in 25 years of operating in the resort. He said: “All the piers were rammed and the feedback we had from people was fantastic.”

June 2018 – Blackpool’s Piers secure World Monuments grant
In June 2018, it was announced that Blackpool’s three piers had been included on the American Express and World Monuments Fund to support endangered global cultural heritage sites in a $1m (£748,000) series of grants.

March 2020 – Beach erosion causing foundation exposure for Blackpool’s three piers
In March 2020, it was thought that trouble lay ahead for the resort’s three famous piers, as owner Peter Sedgwick voiced his concern about falling sand levels – which had left scrap metal from generations past exposed beneath the structures. He said: “The sand is falling so much around the piers it’s showing the bottoms of the legs that haven’t been seen for years. They were set in concrete, and the concrete is on show, it’s dropped that low”.
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July 2020 – Fire at Blackpool Central Pier brought under control
About 50 firefighters tackled a blaze on Blackpool’s Central Pier. Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said crews found a workshop and a ride well alight half way along the pier just after 03:00 BST on Friday morning. Incident commander Mark Winder said: “Fortunately early firefighter action has extinguished the fire to the extent there is no visible flame.” An investigation was being conducted into its cause, he added.
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July 2020 – Blackpool Central Pier to reopen after fire
The pier was scheduled to reopen on Friday 24th July. Peter Sedgwick, owner of all three of Blackpool’s historic piers, said that there had been no damage to the structure of the pier and, following replacement of some of the decking, it would be safe for people to visit once more.
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Blackpool Central Pier

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