A company was formed in 1890, and work began in 1892 to the design of T.P.Worthington. The 492 foot Victoria Pier (renamed ‘South’ Pier in 1930) opened on Good Friday 1893 to the accompaniment of a 50-piece orchestra, a choir and two brass bands. The Grand Pavilion opened on 20th May. Facilities included 36 shops and various shelters. There was also a 40 piece orchestra.

The Grand Pavilion was damaged by fire in 1954 and 1958. Repairs following the second fire cost £100,000. In 1963, the Regal Theatre (the front pavilion) became the Beachcomber Amusement Arcade.

Another fire, in 1964, destroyed the Grand Pavilion but a new £90,000 theatre had been built within twelve weeks. In February 1990, storms left a 12 foot gap across the pier entrance, which was subsequently repaired. In early 1998, the theatre was demolished to make way for the pier’s own ‘white knuckle’ ride.

The pier provides an excellent vantage point for viewing Blackpool’s famous Pleasure Beach roller coasters. Attractions currently include two covered arcades, a family bar, traditional waltzers, the ‘Skycoaster’ and the reverse bungee – Skyscreamer.

July 2010 – Plans submitted for new South Pier centre
In July 2010, the owners, Six Piers Ltd, annouced plans for an £8m redevelopment of the pier. The current pier building would be transformed into a 45,000 sq ft family entertainment centre featuring a full-size ten-pin bowling alley, large soft play area, food court and American pool lounge. There would also be a new bar area with sea views.

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.

July 2016 – Ride at Blackpool South Pier to be relocated during pier refurbishment
In July 2016, South Pier owner Peter Sedgwick announced proposals to move the Log Flume ride from the end of the pier to a new location alongside it on the Promenade, in order to undertake improvements to the pier. But Blackpool Pleasure Beach opposed the move claiming it “will simply look like a fairground ride standing on the tarmacadam”.

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.”

February 2018 – Look-back at the Blackpool South Pier fire of 1958
In February 2018, the Blackpool Gazette published an article looking back at the disastrous Blackpool South Pier fire of 1958. The fire gutted the 50ft high minaret-topped amusement arcade – once known as the Grand Pavilion – where the blaze began, and which contained the cafe, bar and shops.

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.

November 2019 – Blackpool South Pier owners in court over asbestos incident
It was alleged the owners of a famous seaside pier put the public’s health at major risk when they demolished an asbestos-lined arcade – while locals and holidaymakers were allowed to roam nearby. Asbestos fibres from Blackpool’s South Pier were said to be allowed to float along the Promenade, and people allowed into the arcade where the work was being done.
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December 2019 – Blackpool South Pier log flume must go
Councillors turned the bid down on the grounds the ride “would detract from the character and appearance of the Prom” including the setting next to the pier. The location also contravened policies which strictly control where funfairs can be placed. Blackpool Pleasure Beach also objected to the planning application, saying the ride in its current location could undermine its own operation and possibly affect jobs.
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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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June 2020 – Blackpool South Pier owners sentenced over asbestos incident
The owners of Blackpool’s South Pier, who demolished part of an asbestos-lined arcade while visitors were allowed to roam nearby, were given 300 hours of unpaid work as the company was ordered to pay a £134,000 fine and £38,000 costs.
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Blackpool South Pier

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