By Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
Southport Pier is celebrating its 165th birthday in 2025 – and the best birthday present our town could have would be to see it open once more.
The Grade II Listed landmark structure is the second longest pier in Great Britain, running to an impressive 1,108 m (3,635 ft), after Southend Pier.
Although at one time it spanned 1,340 m (4,380 ft), a succession of storms and fires during the late 19th and early 20th centuries reduced its length to that of the present day.
Southport Pier has sadly been closed since December 2022 in a severe blow to the local economy.
Southport people and local businesses are united in the desire to see it reopened.
It has similar support from civic leaders too, with Sefton Council Leader Cllr Marion Atkinson and Southport MP Patrick Hurley among those calling for the investment needed.
In November, Sefton Council’s Tourism team with support from local firm RAL Architects submitted a formal planning application to restore the pier, with what be required as “a comprehensive project aimed at enhancing its structural integrity, aesthetic appeal, and ease of maintenance”.
Southport Pier really put Southport on the map when it was officially opened, in August 1860.
It was designed by James Brunlees, a prominent civil engineer of the Victorian era.
On Monday, 2nd August, 1860, a lavish ceremony marked the official opening of Southport Pier.
The initial idea to create it came way back in the 1840s .
A committee was formed in the Spring of 1852 to promote a pier.
Many arguments were to follow until finally, on March 17 1859, an agreement was reached to form a company to commission the building of Southport’s new pier.
A design from James Brunlees was approved at a cost of £8,700 and on 4th August that year, a large crowd witnessed the driving home of the first support pile.
Using Brunlee’s pile ‘jetting’ system, construction was swift, and the full 3,600ft length was completed almost exactly 12 months later.
The completion of the pier was celebrated with a lavish opening, and guests enjoying processions, banquets, illuminations and fireworks.
Southport Pier stands today as the oldest iron pier in the country, an important part of Britain’s national heritage.
It has been host to many famous entertainers, including Charlie Chaplin in the early 20th century.
The structure used to host three daredevil ‘professors’, who used to leap from the end of the structure into a small pool of water below.
Tourists during the late 19th century and early 20th century would travel many miles to see them.
The pier was visited by steamliners in its heyday, but silting of the channel meant that by the 1920s very few steamers were able to reach the pier, and the service ceased in 1929.
During the Second World War years, the pier was closed to the public so that searchlights could be installed in an attempt to destroy German bombers on their way to the industrial towns of the north.
The pier fell into disrepair throughout the late 20th century, and by 1990 it was operating at a significant annual loss with rising maintenance costs. The local council sought to have the pier demolished, but were defeated in their attempt by a single vote.
Following a determined Southport Visiter campaign, the pier was significantly restored during 2000–2002, and opened to the public in May 2002.
Today Southport Pier is once again closed; its future uncertain.
As a town, we have been here before, and we have prevailed.
Hope remains that we will eventually be able to celebrate the 165th birthday of Southport Pier through funding being agreed by either the Government, the National Lottery Heritage Fund or some other organisation to restore our landmark for new generations of residents and visitors to enjoy.
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