Plans for a second pier at Weston date back to 1880 but work did not commence until 7th November 1903 to the design of P.Munroe. It opened on 11th June 1904. It measured 1080 feet and had cost £120,000, including the 2000 seat pavilion that was home to opera, music hall, Shakespearean plays, ballet and boxing.
Youtube slide show on the building of the pier 1903-04

By 1906, a 1500 foot low water extension with a timber landing stage had been completed but hazardous water conditions determined that few boats ever moored there. Apart from 120 feet beyond the pavilion, demolition of the extension took place between 1916 and 1918.

Light amusements were added in 1926 but, on 13th January 1930, the pavilion was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt in 1932/3 and housed a large funfair instead of a theatre. Mr A.Brenner bought the pier in July 1946. The entrance was rebuilt in 1970 and, in 1974, the pier gained listed building status.

For the 1993 season, a new £250,000 bowling alley had been added. The following winter, approximately £350,000 was spent on re-decking and installing a two-storey fun house and Ferris Wheel. Other facilities included a rail-less train.

In early 2008, the pier was sold by the Brenner family to Michelle and Kerry Michael, a local brother and sister partnership, who spent considerable time and money refurbishing the pier making it one of the towns premier entertainment venues. But on 28th July 2008 a massive fire destroyed the pavilion.

However, the new owners were determined that Weston’s Grand Pier would rise again from the ashes and in October 2008, the design submitted by architects Angus Meek for a new pier pavilion was chosen. In November, the removal of the blackened remains of the old pavilion was completed by TR Demolition, and in December the plans for the new pavilion were submitted to North Somerset Council. Rebuilding work commenced in April 2009 with the installation by Commercial Marine & Piling Ltd of additional piles to support the new pavilion. By August 2009, the piling work was completed and John Sisk & Son had been appointed as the contractor to build the new pavilion.

The new, modern replacement pavilion opened on October 23rd 2010 and Weston-Super-Mare Grand Pier once again resumed its place as one of the UK’s premier attractions.

On the November 12th 2010, the National Piers Society presented its Outstanding Achievement Award to pier owner, Kerry Michael. The award, an inscribed commemorative plate created by the Bristol Blue Glass Company, was presented on the pier by Mike Davies, National Piers Society Executive Committee Member.

In March 2011, the Grand Pier launched British Tourism Week’s Party on the Pier, with simultaneous parties hosted on piers, harbours and jetties around the coast and on inland rivers, canals and lakes. The event on March 12 was launched by Tourism Minister and Weston MP John Penrose.
And in April 2011, the Grand Pier was announced as the winner of the National Piers Society’s prestigious ‘Pier of the Year’ award.
The restored pier was formally opened by Princess Anne on 25th July 2011.

To celebrate the first anniversary of the opening of the pier after its devastating fire in 2008, the Grand Pier put on a weekend of free entertainment and special offers.

October 2012 – Pier owners receive MBEs
In June 2012, it was announced that brother and sister pier owners, Kerry and Michelle Michael, would be receiving MBEs for their work rebuilding the pier and services to charity. The presentation of these prestigious honours were made by the Princess Royal in October 2012.

October 2012 – Remedial work still holding up pier tower
Also in October 2012 it was reported that contractors were still carrying out remedial work which had been taking place since the pier opened. This meant that further developments, including new rides and an 85m high tower observation tower, were still on hold. Foundations for the tower were in place but further work could not proceed until contractors finished their work.

Jan 2013 – Alarm company judged negligent over pier fire
In January 2013, a court ruled that the alarm company which was responsible for monitoring the pier at the time of the devastating fire of July 2008 was negligent and the pier’s owners were awarded a substantial settlement.

October 2013 – Grand Pier wins Business of the Year award
October 2013 saw the pier selected from over 100 other competitors to win the North Somerset Business of the Year Award.

Feb 2014 – Pier signs up to new job scheme
In February 2014 the pier became the first business in the town to sign up for the Department of Work and Pensions’ Jobcentre Plus scheme, giving 10 job-seekers the opportunity to spend two weeks working on the pier in a variety of roles.

March 2014 – Clairvoyant has future on pier
In March 2014, the pier management announced plans to rent out the kiosks along the waist of the pier. This was the first time this had happened in 110 years, and each of the four kiosks for rent was equipped with built-in power, water and waste.

April 2014 – Grand Pier to charge admission of £1
A controversial scheme to charge £1 admission fee for entry to the pier was introduced in April 2014. Fees would be collected by turnstiles at the pier entrance, although there would be no charge for children in pushchairs.

May 2014 – Grand Pier introduces membership pass
To complement the new admission fees, a membership pass scheme was introduced in May 2014. The pass, which the pier owners said was aimed at regular visitors, cost £5 and enabled free access to the pier until May 2015.

June 2014 – Grand Pier’s 110th Birthday celebration
The 11th June marked the 110th anniversary of the pier’s opening in 1904. A variety of activities were available including Penny Farthing bicycle rides, Punch and Judy shows, face painting, and an exhibition of old photos and videos of the pier. A concert by the Wurzles also formed part of the celebrations together with a cider festival over the weekend.

March 2015 – BBC’s ‘Flog It’ on the Grand Pier
March saw the BBC announce that its show, presented by Paul Martin, would be holding a valuation session at the Grand Pier on April 16 and people were invited to take along three antiques or collectables they might want to sell for a free valuation.

May 2015 – £250,000 investment in Weston Grand Pier
In May 2015, the pier announced a £250,000 investment in new coin-operated games, additional rides, including some catering for young children, and general improvements to prepare the pier for the summer season.

September 2015 – Grand Pier gets inundated with requests from film companies
In September 2015 it was reported that the Grand Pier was being inundated with requests from TV production companies looking to film on the attraction, with requests from producers to film on the pier for popular television shows having trebled during the year.

October 2016 – World’s largest cream tea event held at Weston Grand Pier!
October 2016 saw the Grand Pier stage the biggest ever cream tea event held at a single venue when a total of 555 people arrived at the pier to join in the Guinness world record attempt in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

January 2017 – Weston Grand Pier looking forward to a secure future
In January 2017, it was announced that the NatWest bank had provided a ‘seven figure’ refinancing package for the pier which it said would safeguard more than 50 full time and 100 seasonal jobs.

May 2017 – Grand Pier launches all-inclusive family day out package
A new all-inclusive package for a family day out at the Grand Pier was launched in May 2017. Priced at less than £60 for a family of four, the so-called ‘Mega Deal package’included entry to the pier for four, two Unlimited Rides Wristbands for the adults, two Kiddies Wristbands for children up to 10-years-old, and meals for two children and two adults.

February 2018 – Weston Grand Pier puts the ‘speed’ into speed dating!
A new take on speed dating was launched on the Grand Pier in February 2018 in which single people between 18 and 25 were invited to meet potential new partners via a ride on the dodgems. A pier spokesman said: “Speed dating can sometimes get boring or even awkward at times, so why not break the ice and try out this new exciting way of putting the speed into speed dating?” Guests would be given score cards to rate their dates and use their mingling time after the event to get to know each other.

May 2018 – Retro-gaming arcade opens at Weston Grand Pier!
In May 2018, pier engineers at the Grand Pier resurrected several classic arcade machines, including Konami’s Track and Field and Taito’s Space Invaders, in a new Retro Arcade on the first floor of the pier.

June 2018 – Grand Pier hosts Weston Past & Present exhibition
The following month it was announced that the Weston Past And Present exhibition showcasing Weston-super-Mare had been launched as part of the town’s Heritage Action Zone which had teamed up with the Grand Pier to host the aerial photography exhibition.

July 2018 – A Grand day out for Gromit!
The Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare sponsored a sculpture on the Gromit Unleashed 2 trail and exhibited it to sightseers.
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July 2018 – A decade on: Weston Grand Pier fire remembered
Following a two-year transformation and £52m of investment, the Edwardian structure was firmly back at the heart of the seaside town.
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March 2019 – Weston Grand Pier evacuated after small fire breaks out on go-karts
A ‘small fire’ was discovered at the popular seafront attraction on one of the go-karts and the alarm was sounded so people had to leave the premises. Nobody was injured but the pier had to be closed for the rest of the day.
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April 2019 – Weston Grand Pier enjoys bumper Easter weekend
The Grand Pier enjoyed its busiest Easter weekend since reopening after the destructive fire in 2008. Pier general manager, Tim Moyle, said: “Last Easter, people were wearing winter coats, scarves and hats after some extremely cold weather. This year was a complete contrast and it was, of course, wonderful to see so many people visit the pier.”
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May 2019 – Quiet hour launched at Weston Grand Pier
Weston’s Grand Pier announced it would open early for a quiet hour once a month to help people with sensory conditions enjoy the seaside attraction. Over the hour, background music at the attraction would be switched off, public-address announcements silenced and, where possible, lighting reduced on the pier’s amusement machines, rides and attractions.
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September 2019 – A bumper end to the summer for Weston Grand Pier!
Twice as many people visited the Pier during the 2019 August Bank Holiday as they did in 2018, thanks mostly to the record temperatures. Alex Demetriou, Director of the Grand Pier, said: “No one here can remember the Pier ever experiencing three consecutive days like that, certainly not since it re-opened in October 2010, following the fire two years earlier.”
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December 2019 – Pier-to-pier cycle route to begin construction next year
In December it wa announced that Work on a long awaited ‘pier to pier’ cycle route between Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon was to start the following summer. The agreement would pave the way for the work to start in the July, once all the funding was in place.
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April 2020 – Weston Grand Pier turns blue in support of NHS and key workers
In April 2020, a spokesman for the tourism board stated the Grand Pier on Weston’s beachfront had invested in blue lighting in support of the NHS and “the wide range of people who are supporting those in need”. The Grand Pier would continued to be illuminated in blue every evening. The Grand Pier remained closed to visitors.
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May 2020 – No plans to reopen Grand Pier as tourists continue to flock to Weston-super-Mare
In May 2020, despite people in England being allowed to sit in parks, sunbathe on beaches and exercise outside as much as they wanted – as long as they adhered to social distancing measures – it was announced that there was currently no plan to reopen the Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare.
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Weston Grand Pier now offering free loyalty card to local residents
At the beginning of October, the Grand Pier announced that it would releasing its My Grand Pier card, giving residents free access to the Weston attraction in celebration of 10 years since its reopening. Owners Kerry and Michelle Michael introduced the £1 entrance fee for adults and children in 2014 to pay towards the pier’s maintenance costs.
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Weston Grand Pier in the pink to raise awareness of breast cancer
The Grand Pier shone pink during October in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The pink tribute was just one in a number of changes to Weston’s pier in recent weeks. Head of operations for the pier, Remy Haudecoeur, believed it was important to highlight the cause during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Weston Grand Pier celebrates its heritage
Also in October, the Grand Pier produced huge (10 metre by 7 metre) images of their previous grand pavilions from the 1900s and 1930s to display on their current (2010) pier pavilion.

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. In November, 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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Weston Grand Pier struggles with further restrictions
Also in November, 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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January 2021 – Weston Grand pier fears closure until Easter
Weston’s Grand Pier confirmed it did not expect to open until Easter but reassured people that plans were being made for events throughout the new year. The seaside attraction had been closed three times throughout the coronavirus pandemic but its head of operations revealed its team was constantly planning refurbishments and future events.
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February 2021 – Weston Grand Pier donates pancakes to NHS staff on Shrove Tuesday
Staff at Weston General Hospital and Locking Road walk-through testing site were greeted with pancakes, courtesy of the Grand Pier. As a thank you for their continued work during the coronavirus pandemic, the Grand Pier cooked 500 pancakes for the staff and, with the help of a donation from Britvic, handed out 200 bottles of soft drink on Shrove Tuesday.
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March 2021 – Weston Grand Pier has developed a whole new seaside treat!
It’s everything special about the seaside in a cone and we think everyone is going to want to try one. The new Ice and Cream outlet opened on Weston-super-Mare Grand Pier was serving up a very special treat – the Great British seaside cone. Bosses at the pier had spent lockdown creating the new takeaway outlet and designed the treat to celebrate the best of the traditional British seaside. The treat involves Mr Whippy Ice Cream and candy floss with customers also able to add their own seaside favourites such as rock, fudge, doughnuts, chocolate flakes and even popcorn as a topping.
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March 2021 – Weston Grand Pier wins two tourism awards!
The Grand Pier scooped two tourism awards in one of its most challenging years during the coronavirus pandemic. Owner, Michelle Michael acknowledged the challenging period for the hospitality sector but said staff were looking forward to welcoming back visitors soon. She said: “We were very proud to be finalists, and winning two awards was a great boost for us following a difficult year for our industry”.
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April 2021 – Weston Grand Pier goes green by banning single-use plastic
The Grand Pier confirmed it would remove all single plastic packaging from the toys it sells following its first Weston Super Beach Clean event. More than 20 volunteers joined the attraction’s staff, who supplied equipment, in patrolling the beach and removing any litter found. Head of operations, Remy Haudecoeur revealed that an alarming amount of single-use plastic packaging was found during the group’s first outing – which has led to a change in the Grand Pier’s policy.
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July 2021 – Time to book your ‘summer session’ at Weston Grand Pier!
The Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare announced it was to play host to weekly live music events throughout July and August. The gigs were labelled as ‘Summer Sessions’, and were due to take place on Saturdays. Nights such as Retro Electro, rugby after parties and a Pink tribute were all on the list of scheduled events.
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Fundraiser completes UK’s first solo pier marathon at Weston Grand
Weston resident Paul Hobbs completed the UK’s first marathon to be completed entirely on a pier, according to the National Piers Society. Paul said: “I am delighted to be part of a historic event – I was not even aware that this would be the first-ever marathon carried out on a pier before.” A fundraiser was created for the event which aimed to raise a target of £5,000 for the British Heart Foundation. To donate to Paul’s fundraiser, log on to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/paul-hobbs26
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October 2021 – Fireworks at sea event return to Weston Grand Pier
.Weston’s Grand Pier confirmed its Fireworks at Sea event would return later in the year for the first time in 18 months. The seaside attraction had to cancel previous firework shows during 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Although some safety measures would be in place this year, the event was set to return with a bang, according to the pier’s director.
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November 2021 – Weston Grand Pier lights up the sky!
Amazing drone footage captured the action of Weston Grand Pier’s firework display. Thousands of people lined Weston’s seafront as the Grand Pier’s Fireworks at Sea event returned for the first time since the Covid pandemic. Around 1,200 tickets were sold for the event but many more ventured to the beach to get a glimpse of the show.
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February 2022 – A fascinating insight into the challenges and successes of operating one of Britain’s most popular piers
Co-owner and director Michelle Michael talks about running one of the UK’s most successful attractions – from the challenges of Covid to rebuilding the business after that devastating fire nearly 14 years ago.
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Weston-super-Mare Grand Pier

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