Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council is yet to find a contractor to undertake crucial repair work at Bournemouth Pier, despite launching two tender windows to find a suitable project partner.

The authority began seeking a building firm to complete the £9.6m government-funded project in September, but a second tender process in March also received no satisfactory bids.

“It is understood that the council still has not found a suitable contractor for the pier repairs but that the timeline for the repair works is still expected to begin in autumn 2026,” reported the Bournemouth Echo. “Even though works have been delayed there has been no impact on the funding and the initial Levelling Up funding is still being used for this project.”

Work was initially due to begin in late 2024 and complete within 18 months, but the current estimate is that the project may not be finished until at least early 2028.

Reflecting on the first failed tender in March, councillor Richard Herrett said “we did gain valuable feedback on the project.”

The full £20m Levelling Up package is also being used for stabilisation work on the East Cliff to prevent landslips, with a planning application currently being considered by BCP Council.