Work to repair and reopen Southport Pier is expected to begin early this year, after Sefton Council submitted a business case to the Government in order to access £20m in funding allocated last summer as part of the Chancellor’s Growth Mission Fund.
Sefton Council has submitted a “full and complete” business case to the Department for Business and Trade detailing plans to restore Southport Pier, with work to begin on the £20m project early this year if the case is approved.
The programme of works was awarded funding last year as part of the government’s Growth Mission Fund, with a panel of MPs expected to meet at the end of this month in order to assess the proposal to secure the future of the Grade II-listed structure.
“I have been on record countless times saying we would be ready to start these works as soon as we get funding and we are staying completely true to our word,” said council leader Marion Atkinson. “A two-stage design and build procurement process has already been completed, while listed building consent is also secured.”
“The business case has set out the up-to-date construction costs while also addressing the need for ongoing yearly maintenance including options such as the use of the Pier contingency fund, planning obligations and other forms of income raising initiatives.”
Following the funding announcement last June, the original programme of restoration has now been expanded to include full replacement of decking and joists, steelwork repairs, new CCTV and security installations, and a long-term maintenance programme.
“This proposal by Sefton Council offers a promising opportunity to restore a much-loved landmark and reaffirm this Government’s commitment to the preservation and support of local cultural heritage,” said MP Patrick Hurley.
“Its revival will not only boost our local economy but also reignite pride throughout my constituency.”
Jamieson talks of a pier with fears
The ones to have suffered the biggest single loss of the Southport Pier closure is arcade and concessions operator the Jamieson family. The news of this huge step forward was greeted with relief, anticipation but still more concerns.
Colin Jamieson, who runs elements of Southport Pier Pavilion, saw his successful business implode when the Pier was declared unsafe and shut down in 2022.Not surprisingly, with his livelihood on the line, he campaigned vigorously for speedy action to repair and re-open the central force of Southport’s tourism trade.Over three years later, we haven’t seen any action, but the talk is beginning to walk.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Jamieson was stoical. “I think it’s a fantastic opportunity for the council to invest a small amount of money in the pavilion. It’s been under-maintained for 25 years and the air conditioning hasn’t worked properly,” he said.
And Jamieson wants all-round improvement: “We could also upgrade the toilets and catch up on the maintenance that’s been neglected for the past three years. When we reopen, the building will be fit for purpose. It wouldn’t make sense to have a new pier and a building that’s not.”
And Jamieson will know all about that first hand; he has been fiercely vocal on the need to get things moving,in part to help rebuild his family business, and more broadly to restore Southport’s tourism sector.
He may have to hang on to some of that ferocity. When news broke about the funding to refurbish the pier, and the planned start of those works in spring, he conveyed the frustration that the entire resort had felt. Talking to the LDRS, Jamieson lamented the delays: “It’s good news but the start date keeps getting pushed back every time we discuss it, [but] we might be open by the halfway point of October,” he noted.
But after such good news, there was still huge holes in the re-opening process, and they impact hard on the arcade operator.
“The pier is going to be completely rebuilt except for the legs that extend into the sea. They’re in good condition and are cast iron. The pier pavilion isn’t being demolished but all the kiosks are.”
And that could see Jamieson returning to the pier, but with all the key offerings gone.
Although this relieved town is finally hearing the sound of good news, Southport is still talking about its pier with fears – and with good reason.
