THE UK’s second-longest pier is set to have a £20million refurb, with work starting next year.
The Victorian Southport Pier has been shut since 2022 following safety concerns.
But now it will get a new lease of life with a full restoration, including replacing the decking boards and timber joists, steelwork repairs, as well as adding new gates and CCTV cameras.
The project is expected to take around 14 months to complete, according to the local council.
The pier is a Grade II-listed structure and originally opened in 1860 as an iron pier.
A number of events have also been hosted on the pier over the years.
Read more on travel inspo
In total, it stretches 0.68 miles and is estimated to contribute more than £15million to the economy.
But the pier has a long history of issues and restorations.
For example, back in 1897, the original pavilion which stood at the end of the pier was destroyed by a fire.
In 1959, another fire caused a lot of damage to the decking of the pier.
Things then started to look up as in 1975 the pier was awarded a Grade II-listed status and in 2002, following a £7million refurbishment, the pier gained a new tram.
But then 20 years later, in 2022, the pier closed again due to safety concerns and has been closed since.
Councillor Marion Atkinson, leader of Sefton Council said: “Southport Pier is a structure with a rich history but regrettably with a poor refurbishment programme carried out in the early 2000s, the refurbishment left the pier very vulnerable!
“However we have never considered giving up on it.
“The Pier is a symbol of Southport’s identity, history, and now, thanks to the Council and Central Government, secured for the town’s future too.”
Uniquely, the pier starts on the mainland before crossing over the town’s Marine Lake, then more land before it stretches out into the sea.
At the entrance to the pier, there is also Silcock’s Funland which remains open.
Inside, visitors will find a number of children’s rides and retro arcade machines, as well as a cafe.
There is also a family restaurant and outside, a carousel.
What’s it like to visit Southport?
TRAVEL writer, Catherine Lofthouse, visited Southport recently – here are her thoughts…
When the sun is out, there’s no better place to be than by the coast,
so I couldn’t wait to take my family to check out Southport.
There is a huge 17-acre parkland between the town and the sea which boasts a marine lake and hosts plenty of paid and free attractions, including boats, a miniature railway, a wooden playground, crazy golf and a model village.
There’s a free hall of mirrors inside the arcade that will give all
the family a laugh and my boys whiled away an hour on the zipline and climbing frames in the gardens, so you can easily pass some time here without spending a penny.
My little boy loved the £1 track ride just inside Silcocks Funland
arcade, while the carousel outside was only £2.25 per person.
If you only wanted to spend £20 and choose one family activity,
there’s quite a few options on offer here.
A trip on Lakeside Miniature Railway, the oldest continuously running
15in gauge railway in the world, costs £4 return or £3 single per
person.
At the marine lake, you can hire a pedalo for £20 for 30 minutes or take your family on a self-drive motorboat for 20 minutes
for the same price.
One quirky place to visit if you’re after an indoor option would be
the lawnmower museum in Shakespeare Street, which boasts a variety of machines, including some belonging to the rich and famous like King Charles and Paul O’Grady.
Entrance only costs £3 for adults and £1 for children, so it’s worth a
trip just to say you’ve been!
For food, my top tip would be to head to the cafe at Southport Heritage Centre – you can buy a slush for just a quid, a Magnum
for £2.50, or a portion of chips for just £2.50.
In other seaside news, the seaside town with ‘UK’s prettiest pier’ wants to upgrade its much-loved tourist railway.
Plus, a traditional English seaside town has revealed a huge £1.8million pier transformation.