Sefton Council has announced it is no closer to finding the £13m necessary to repair and reopen Southport Pier nearly 28 months after the structure was temporarily closed, with local traders such as arcadian Colin Jamieson fearing “this could drag on for many more years.”

A spokesperson for Sefton Council has confirmed there is “no further news” on plans to find the £13m necessary to restore and reopen Southport Pier, after an expression of interest submitted to the National Lottery Heritage Fund was denied.

The Grade II-listed structure has been closed since December 2022, and though the authority was granted permission by Historic England to undertake the repairs necessary in October, the lack of funds has meant work is yet to begin.

“We continue to do everything we can so that when funding is secured to repair the pier we will be in a position to start work straight away,” said councillor Paulette Lappin.

“We continue to speak with various organisations about what support they may be able to provide but at the moment there is no further news on this.”

Responding to the announcement that the Heritage Fund bid was unsuccessful, former concession holder Colin Jamieson asked “where does this leave us?” 

“This could go on indefinitely, the only option at present is for the whole scheme to be mothballed until all of the funds appear,” Jamieson told the Liverpool Echo. “This could drag on for many more years, leaving the pier to deteriorate even further.”

“It’s now becoming clear, two years down the line, how it is not just us as the leaseholder that needs our pier open, the wider Southport and Liverpool region’s economy is suffering due to lack of footfall and lack of interest in our town.”

He added that the importance of reopening the pier is “not just about the financial aspect.” 

“The pier is far more than monetary return, it serves locals and tourists alike for 52 weeks of the year … the pier is vital to our community and for many all over the country.”

Despite the disappointing news from the Heritage Fund, leader of Sefton Council Marion Atkinson said the decision “won’t stop us.”

“We will apply again when the time is right. We have done all within our power to be ready to replace the pier when the money becomes available, we have a plan. We have commitment.”