Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council has announced the £9.6m project to restore Bournemouth Pier will likely not be completed until 2028, as the authority struggles to find a suitable contractor.

The costs of the renovation were allocated in 2023 as part of the government’s Levelling Up Fund, with work originally scheduled to begin in late 2024, however councillors have once again pushed back the estimated start date.

“Our initial tender for the works to restore Bournemouth Pier closed at the end of September 2025, with no suitable bids received,” said councillor Richard Herrett.

“As part of this process we did gain valuable feedback on the project. This has informed the revised tender which will be advertised shortly. Subject to tender returns, we hope to start work in the Autumn and complete within 18 months.”

The project will include concrete repairs, removal of landing stages, and the installation of an impressed current cathodic protection system to forestall corrosion.