The pier was built between 1875 and 1878 to the design of G.Rale. It was opened in 1879 by Princess Saxe-Weimar. Initially, its main purpose was as a steamer jetty for Isle of Wight passengers.

In 1904, a serious fire resulted in a complete rebuild. The ‘replacement’ pier opened to a length of 600 feet in 1908. It had been designed by local architect G.E.Smith and cost £85,000. It had a concrete deck and windscreens protecting visitors on all sides. A spacious pavilion contained two halls: one housed a 1200 seat theatre, the other serving as a cafe during the day and a dance hall at night. At the seaward end, a similar pavilion incorporated a bar and lounge.

The theatre was damaged by fire in 1966 and was removed the following year. A further blaze in 1974 (during the filming of ‘Tommy’) badly affected the pier, which re-opened the following year after a £500,000 rebuild.

The large pavilion, less grand than previously, now houses showbars (one of which can hold 800) and amusements.

In January 2010, fears were raised over the future of the pier after it emerged the owners were losing thousands of pounds every year. The pier was one of Six Piers Ltd portfolio of piers. The company said they were ‘continuing to look at ways to improve the offering.’ Then in May 2010, the pier was sold to a holding company called Frenash Ltd, set up by a consortium led by Mr Fred Nash. Frenash was later forced into liquidation following a disputed power bill and the running of the pier was transferred to SPP South Coast Ltd, also headed by Mr Nash and Ms Dawn Randall.

Then in October 2011, Mr Nash announced plans for a £20 million redevelopment of the pier. Management of the pier was taken over by Ms Randall.

However, by June 2012, concern had arisen about the lack of investment by its owners leaving the pier in need of urgent maintenance, and local community groups voted overwhelmingly to support a residents’ buy-out. Calls for the council to intervene were rejected but in October 2012 the local authority wrote to the pier’s owner threatening legal action if urgent work to make the structure safe was not started. This was soon followed by the closure of the pier altogether. A building survey for Portsmouth City Council had shown that supporting steelwork had corroded to the point at which structural integrity could be lost. Only some facilities at the front of the pier were allowed to re-open later.

Doubts continued to ciculate about the financial viability of the pier and in November 2012 it was reported that the pier was being put up for sale with a guide price of £210,000. But at an auction in December 2012 the pier failed to reach its reserve price and focus moved to the possibility of a post-auction sale.

In January 2013, frustration emerged amongst community groups who wanted to see progress on the troubles surrounding the Pier. Leon Reis, of The People’s Pier, annouced proposals to form a takeover bid for the Pier, but Pier co-owner, Dawn Randall, dismissed talk of a sale. In March 2013, Gerald Vernon-Jackson, the leader of Portsmouth City Council which was considering buying the pier from its current owners with the intention of giving it to The People’s Pier, encouraged The People’s Pier to assist with the cost of a survey that would identify what needed to be repaired. In April, both Hastings and Weston Grand Pier were looked at as examples of suucessful regeneration projects.

In November 2013, following an attempt by the owner to re-open the Pier, Portsmouth Council served a formal closure notice on the Pier to to “protect the public from immediate danger”.

Then in December the South Parade Trust (SPT), formed from the People’s Pier group, claimed the owners had offered to sell the pier to them, subject to price and contract.

Later in the month it was reported that a court order had been granted to EDF to disconnect power to the pier because of unpaid electricity bills.

Bad weather in February 2014 caused parts of the boat deck at the end of the pier to be broken off.

In March 2014, it was reported that the one of the joint owners had confirmed that the pier had been sold for an undisclosed sum to an undisclosed buyer which was not the South Parade Trust. However, the chairman of the South Parade Trust who had themselves been negotiating to buy the pier cast doubt upon this report and said that his position was that they were still negotiating to purchase the pier.

Also in March 2014, it was announced that the pier owners pier were to be issued with a summons regarding work to make the structure safe.

March also saw the South Parade Trust awarded a £10,000 grant by the Department of Communities and Local Government under its Community Ownership and Management of Assets Fund to to gain professional fundraising expertise, increase supporter numbers and fund specialist training.

Meanwhile the pier owners insisted that remedial work on the structure was being organised.

May 2014 brought the news that the pier had in fact been sold to a group of businessmen who planned to turn it into a music venue. The consortium for Portsmouth’s South Parade Pier was reported to be fronted by Southsea entrepreneur Lawrence Mendel. However, also in May magistrates ruled the pier had to remain shut and gave the owners until 12 November to carry out repairs. Curiously, the defendants were still as The People’s Pier Southsea Ltd, suggesting that no change of ownership had taken place. Also, ommunity group South Parade Trust, which is trying to save the pier, said the ownership had not yet changed.

Then in June 2014, even more confusingly, it was reported that the co-owner of the pier, Mr Fred Nash stated that he didn’t care for it and said the city council was proving the stumbling block in the pier’s sale.

July brought a further twist to the story when it was announced that the consortium of business owners which hoped (?) to take over the derelict attraction had commissioned a survey of structural repair work. A spokesman for the consortium said ‘We can’t fix anything until we know what needs doing. We need to find out what needs doing to make sure the pier can be made safe.’ suggesting that the pier might not yet have changed hands.

January 2015 – South Parade Trust hold public consultation event
In January 2015, the South Parade Trust invited all interested locals and supporters to attend a public consultation event where they would be able to give their thoughts on how the pier could be re-developed.

February 2015 – Pier’s new owners unveil their plans for the pier
In February 2015, the pier’s new owners unveiled their grand plan to save the attraction. Mr Tommy Ware Snr – part of the four-man consortium to have bought the pier – said in a local news report that he was doing all he could to bring the pier back to life. The aim was to enable the public to access the full length of the pier by the end of the year. The promenade and shops at the front could open ‘within weeks’ if legal issues are cleared up and the jetty is to be renovated in time for boats to be moored there for the America’s Cup in July.

March 2015 – Major milestone reached in Pier restoration
March 2015 saw a major milestone reached with the pouring of over 50-tonnes of concrete to the east and west walkways of the pier, areas that had been badly damaged in the storms of 2014. Hopes were advanced that the end of the pier could be fully open to the public again towards the middle of 2016.

April 2015 – Path cleared for people to walk in front of pier again
In April 2015, the city council announced it was satisfied with repairs that had taken place by the new owners and accordingly Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court varied the dangerous structure notice preventing people walking in front of the pier to remove its application to land including two shops and the front  arcade.

April 2015 – Torch of Liberation returns to South Parade Pier
Also in April 2015, a ceremony took place at the D-Day Stone in Southsea to welcome back the Torch of Liberation, first introduced after the Second World War.

June 2015 – Plans revealed for South Parade Pier
In June 2015, the owners of South Parade pier revealed proposals for a multi-million-pound development including space for funfair rides like a big wheel and zip wire, roof-top family restaurants, water games, seating areas and moorings for visitors.

July 2015 – Pier reopening delayed
South Parade Pier’s owners bid in July 2015 to get the pier re-opened in time for the Americas Cup failed when a court hearing to decide whether the decks should be re-opened had to be put off until August pending minor structural repairs being signed off.

August 2015 – Major leisure companies show interest in operating South Parade Pier.
In August 2015, major companies, including a multinational leisure firm, were reported to be interested in getting involved with the attraction, although no names were released. Work on the promenade was expected to start shortly.

April 2016 – Fire at South Parade Pier
In April 2016, firefighters from Southsea were called out after the felt on the roof of the pier caught fire. It transpired that the fire was due to workers doing ‘hot work’ at the pier but they managed to extinguish it before fire crews arrived, who nevertheless checked everything out.

May 2016 – Southsea South Parade Pier to partially re-open for summer 2016
In May 2016, magistrates lifted an order banning the public from going on to part of the structure after hearing sufficient remedial works had been carried out to the floor. The ruling meant that the previous restriction limiting access to the structures on the land was now eased and 51m of the pier back from the promenade could now open.

July 2016 – Southsea South Parade Pier owners committed to reopening the pier
In July 2016, South Parade Pier Ltd, who bought the Victorian pier in Southsea in 2014 said there were plans in place to re-open the front section as soon as they could but also said it was unlikely to be open before Christmas. Delays over the opening were questioned by community group South Parade Trust, who claim there have been 14 proposed opening dates since 2014.

April 2017 – Southsea South Parade Pier to re-open
In April 2017, having spent more than four million pounds repairing the structure and refurbishing the building, the new owners announced they had secured the pier’s long-term future and were ready to open the pier to the public again. The newly refurbished amusement arcade would be the main attraction but work was continuing on the structural elements of the pier, the outside decking and on the renovation of the pier’s bars, cafes, and a concert hall. It was planned to have the pier fully open by August.

October 2017 – South Parade Pier Opens Officially With Halloween Party
In October 2017, it was announced that South Parade Pier would celebrate its official opening with a Halloween fancy dress party at the Gaiety Bar. Visitors were promised a spooky cocktail on arrival and a prize would be awarded for the best costume. The Bootleg Beatles would be performing together with a DJ playing party music.

October 2017 – Revamped Gaiety to make welcome return to South Parade Pier
Further information on the re-opening of the Gaiety Bar was reported in October in the Portsmouth News. Business partners Trevor Bratty and Jack Edwards spent six months restoring the bar to its former glory.The decor had had a facelift but the original architecture of the building including the great arches had been retained.

January 2018 – Photos of South Parade Pier in its heyday
In January 2018, the Portsmouth News carried a series of ten photographs showing South Parade Pier dating back to its opening in August 1908.

April 2018 – South Parade wins Pier of the Year award
April 2018 saw the announcement that South Parade Pier had been voted the 2018 Pier of the Year by the members of the National Piers Society (NPS). The NPS said the Grade II listed pier had been brought beautifully back from the brink and that the commitment and investment of the pier’s owners had allowed the pier to play an important part in the tourist economy whilst injecting civic pride. Presenting the award, the NPS Chairman, Tim Wardley, said ‘The pier has undergone a remarkable transformation and I’m absolutely delighted on behalf of our members at South Parade Pier for earning this award.’

April 2018 – South Parade Pier owners win bid to add terrace to cafe kiosk
Later in the same month, a row blew up between the pier’s owners and Portsmouth City Council over the plan for an extra cafe seating area at the southern end of the pier’s historic pavilion. This was however soon resolved when Portsmouth councillors overruled their officers, who had recommended refusal for the plan, and decided the new seating area could go ahead.

July 2018 – South Parade Pier to offer boat mooring once again
In July 2018, the owners of South Parade Pier announced that a new deck at the end of the pier was to be built which would offer mooring for boats as well as allowing people to fish. The £200,000 needed to build the deck was covered entirely by the pier’s owners, but Portsmouth City Council provided support for the project.

August 2018 – Unique Popup On The Pier market for South Parade Pier
And in August 2018, it was announced that South Parade Pier would be welcoming a new pop-up market on the pier featuring over 50 independent traders selling a range of interesting items including street food, specialist drinks, and a range of arts and craft items.

June 2019 – New funfair opens at Southsea South Parade Pier!
Pier owners Tommy Ware Snr and Tommy Ware Jnr expressed their pride at the new project that will include dodgems, a helter skelter, rollercoaster and game kiosks.
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November 2019 – Southsea South Parade Pier transformation complete as new boat deck opens!
South Parade Pier rebuilt its boat deck – the final part in a series of works to restore the Southsea landmark after it was reopened in April 2017. The £200,000 project would now offer mooring for boats as well as allowing people to fish on the new deck, which was completely removed in 2014 due to storms.
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November 2019 – Izzy Wizzy let’s get busy as Southsea South Parade Pier launches new permanent funfair!
South Parade Pier geared up for a summer full of fun for all the family with the official announcement of a permanent funfair on the pier. Richard Cadell, who is known for being the hand to the much-loved puppet Sooty, signed a 15-year contract to run and provide the rides and amusements on the Southsea pier.
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March 2020 – Never mind the Sex Pistols, here’s Southsea South Parade Pier!
A former Sex Pistol brought his current band to Southsea to shoot a music video, but there was little sign of the filth and the fury his old group was famous for.
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May 2020 – Southsea’s pier bar starts selling takeaway Sunday roasts in a bid to boost business
In May 2020, the Gaiety Bar on South Parade Pier began selling takeaway roast dinners on a Sunday as a way to ensure their business services the pandemic.
Jack Edwards, director at the bar, said that the business has been looking for ways to make money while it is not able to open due to restrictions imposed by the government to stop the spread of coronavirus.
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May 2020 – South Parade Pier opens its Deep Blue Restaurants for takeaway
Also in May 2020, although South Parade Pier remained closed, the Deep Blue restaurant re-opened for limited hours for take-away service only.
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May 2021 – Southsea South Parade Pier’s crazy golf plans deemed below par by residents
Dozens of objections were made by residents to the building of a crazy golf complex at the Victorian pier. The owners of South Parade Pier in Southsea, Portsmouth, submitted a planning application for the site near the Grade II-listed structure. A report, on behalf of owner Tommy Ware, said the attraction would provide entertainment and would not detract from the character of the seafront. But residents said any crazy golf site would be an eyesore.
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Southsea South Parade

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