Over three quarters of the wooden decking along Southport Pier has now been removed as the £20 million restoration of the historic Southport landmark continues “at pace”.
Contractors from AE Yates are currently on site at the Victorian era attraction which, at 1,108 m (3,635 ft) makes it the second-longest in Great Britain.
The work, led by Sefton Council as part of its regeneration of Southport, began earlier this summer.
Sefton Council Leader Cllr Marion Atkinson said:
“75% of the Southport decking has been removed and 35% of the superstructure steelwork has also been removed.
“It’s going at pace, it’s absolutely great and I can’t wait to get this over the line.”
Alongside the visible changes above the pier, extensive structural improvements are also being carried out beneath the structure.
These stunning images were taken by Slobber Chops, who kindly shared them with Stand Up For Southport to show the extent of the ambitious works taking place.
Southport Pier has been closed since December 2022, and reopening the landmark structure will create a huge boost for the local economy.
Sefton Council has previously shared that the full restoration of the pier is expected to take between 14 to 16 months to complete, with hopes that visitors will be able to once again walk along it next year.
No target date for completion has yet been set.
Earlier this year, The Growth Mission Fund panel gave its full approval to the business case submitted by Sefton Council for the full repair.
Opened in August 1860, Southport Pier is the oldest iron pier in the country. Its length of 1,108 m (3,635 ft) makes it the second-longest in Great Britain, after Southend Pier.
Southport Pier attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to Southport every year.
The Southport Pier restoration is among several positive developments happening in Southport at the moment including the transformation of: the former BHS department store on Chapel Street; the former Leo’s Bar on Nevill Street; the former Southport Visiter offices on Tulketh Street; the £5million new Wetherspoon Hotel on Lord Street; and The Garrick on Lord Street.
The new Inflata Nation attraction recently opened at Ocean Plaza Leisure.
Southport Pier is undergoing a comprehensive restoration programme that goes far beyond the original decking replacement plans approved three years ago.
A detailed business case was submitted to the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), setting out the full scope of repairs, long-term maintenance needs and sustainability measures required to secure the pier for future generations.
Restoration work will include:
- Full replacement of decking boards and timber joists
- Extensive steelwork repairs and replacements due to corrosion
- Installation of new gates and CCTV
- Introduction of a robust long-term maintenance regime
Listed building consent has been secured.
- For more pictures from Slobber Chops please follow them at: (1) Instagram
- Keep up with updates on Southport Pier on the Friends Of Southport Pier Facebook page: (20+) Facebook
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