The green light is about to be given for major restoration works on Southport Pier to begin in early 2026.
The transformation of the second longest pier in the UK – it comprises 68 bays and is 1,108 metres in length – is expected to take 14 months to complete and is expected to reopen in 2027.
In September, the Government allocated up to £20 million from the Growth Mission fund for Southport Pier repairs to be carried out subject to a full business case.
Sefton Council officers have met with The Department for Business and Trade to understand the process for approvals. A full business case will be submitted to the Government by the end of 2025 with the aim for works to start early 2026.
Southport Pier is estimated to generate £15 million a year for the Southport economy and has been badly missed since its closure in December 2022.
Sefton Council’s Cabinet will meet at Southport Town Hall on Thursday (6th November 2025) where they are due to sign off the next steps.
They include progressing the grant fund agreement and return of all project documentation to the Department of Business and Trade, and delegating authority to approve the procurement and award of enabling and demolition works for the major tourist attraction.
Councillors will also look towards approving the main contract award via a compliant framework.
A Cabinet report says: “In September 2022 Cabinet approved the replacement of the timber decking for the whole pier, however the Pier was subsequently closed to the public in December 2022.
“It became apparent that the scope of works needed to increase to include all the steelwork. As part of the project planning the procurement of the main contractor has been undertaken for the revised scope, the main contract will include enabling, demolition and main build.
“Southport Pier is a grade II listed structure, the oldest cast iron pier in England and the second longest. The asset is a critical element to Southport’s visitor economy along with the wider economy of the Borough. It consists of 68 bays and is 1,108 metres in length. It is estimated that the Pier contributes over £15m to the Southport economy.
“A two-stage design and build procurement has been undertaken for the repurposed main works. By undertaking the opening up and survey works along with selecting a main contractor via a two-stage process the project is ready to commence when funding becomes available. RIBA Stage 4 has been completed, listed building consent approved and information ready for construction, the council have also retained an experienced delivery and design team that have been engaged in the project through the RIBA stages and will oversee the delivery of the main contract.
“A full procurement exercise has also been undertaken to secure a main contractor for the new scope of works, due to the time passed since the submission further cost work will now take place before the main contract is agreed.
“Once agreed a final sum price will be agreed and the Contract will be executed.
“The main contractor will complete the current Pier refurbishment scheme with two main sectional handovers for public access. Them being: Seaward bays (Bays 35 to 86) Landward bays (Bays 1 to 34)
“These dates are based on specific assumptions as to the quantum of the works, the full construction works will take circa 14 months to complete.
“The Council received a final tender price in November 2024 from the preferred main contractor; this price will now be updated working with the Council’s appointed cost consultants. The overall cost will include building works, surveys, fees, inflation and contingency.
“The closure of the Pier has had financial implications on the tourism revenue budget, this has included loss of rental income along with increased security costs. It is anticipated that both of these implications will be resolved once the Pier is fully operational.
“The Council has been informed that up to £20m grant will be available from the growth mission fund subject to a satisfactory business case. The capital budget will be reviewed in line with the rest of the capital programme.
“The business case will set out the up-to-date construction costs that will be within the envelope of the available funding.
“The business case will also address the need for ongoing yearly maintenance and how this will be funded. Regular annual maintenance programmes have been carried out on Southport Pier and this continued up until the temporary closure was put in place.
“Since 2016 a total of over £3million has been spent on maintenance and repairs averaging approximately £462,000 per year.
“A schedule of meetings has been set to engage with representatives of the Department of Business and Trade, who oversee this particular grant funding programme. This will enable engagement and progress on the detail and requirements of the business case, over and above the information already proactively prepared by the Council.”
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