Salen Pier (Isle of Mull) - A new Waverley Landing Place and a Pier Restoration

This is a landing pier I was not previously aware of, but this article highlights that considerable investment has been made in restoring a previously disused and hazardous structure. The pier has been restored by a private owner; the funding being largely self-generated, and ongoing funding being provided by the pier’s use for a number of holiday cottages and lodges. The pier’s website suggests that it is the only holiday accommodation on a UK pier, this being provided by two chalets in a matching style to the original pier buildings, as well as further cottages on the pier foreshore. The Waverley team were made aware of this newly restored pier, and were keen to indicate support for it by arranging a landing on the 27th May. It seems that normally pier access is restricted to guests of the holiday lodges, but this day saw numerous visitors granted access to the pier. There is a very good video report in the attached article, which forms a good introduction to this commendable restoration project.  (Image: Salen Pier Holidays)

Bognor Regis Pier - Ongoing Refurbishment Works

The operations manager for Bognor Regis Pier has indicated a number of renovations to take place at the pier, including repairs to the roof terrace and the (previously reported) repainting of the pier. This follows the reopening of the nightclub as “Venue 24”. It is positive to hear transparent communications from the owners of the pier, and that the structure is benefitting from financial investment. (Image: Eddie Mitchell)

Weston-Super-Mare Grand Pier - A Trial for Dog Access

A 1 month trial period has been planned for the allowance of dogs to the pier. Naturally, a number of strict rules are in place to maintain order, but the new policy is hoped to remain permanent if the trial proves to be a success. Dog refreshments of various kinds are also available.

Worthing Pier - Noted Restaurant to Relocate

One of Worthing Pier’s well-renowned restaurant businesses has indicated that they will be relocating to new premises in Worthing. Tern Restaurant has been situated in the pier’s Southern Pavilion since 2023, seemingly sharing the space with Perch on the Pier (which will be remaining at the pier). Details of the new location have not been made public yet, although the restaurant’s recent Facebook posts indicate the general feel and configuration of the new location, which has been formally secured. All pre-existing bookings will not be affected by the future relocation.

Penarth Pier - Angling Club Evicted - And a Music Festival

The timber hut at the head of Penarth Pier has been used by the Penarth Sea Angling Association since 1984. Vale of Glamorgan Council have now used Emergency Powers to evict the association from the premises, providing 28 days notice to terminate the licence for the occupying of the hut. The intentions from the council which justify this drastic action are frustratingly vague, and it seems that it will only be after the eviction is complete that they will formally explore options and expressions of interest in a future use for the hut. There is an expectation that the hut will inevitably be used as a café kiosk or for other “concession opportunities”, which the pier already possesses. The Council will be discussing alternative provisions for the angling club, but it was probably the case that their existing hut was the most ideal location by quite a margin.

In more wonderful news, the Penarth Chamber Music Festival 2025 will commence on the 19th June. This has been running for just over 10 years and is generally based in Penarth Pier Pavilion. A mixture of classic and contemporary instrumental music has been programmed: what better thing is there than hearing Messiaen and Boulez in a pier pavilion? A truly commendable undertaking which is surely more imaginative than the verbal outpourings of Katie Hopkins and Joey Blower (only in my opinion, of course!).

Southport Pier - Potential Government Funding for Restoration

As yet, Sefton Council have had little luck in gathering funding towards the c.£13 million restoration project at Southport Pier. Local politicians, especially Southport MP Patrick Hurley, have vigorously campaigned for the importance of the project, and now the Chancellor of the current Labour Government, Rachel Reeves, has announced a new Growth Mission Fund to boost projects such as this across the country. Release of further information and the project selection process will take place later in the summer, and collectively the fund is expected to contribute £240 million until 2030. From the above, it might be assumed that the future or even the funding for the pier is by no means secured yet, but that Reeves specifically mentioned Southport Pier as a key case for the fund during Wednesday’s Parliament session, should be seen as an encouraging indication to the future course of things. Whether the Government will be prepared to fund 100% of the project value, and when the funds will be delivered, remains to be seen.

Weston-Super-Mare Birnbeck Pier - A Brief Update From the Leader of the Council

The last formal update on the Birnbeck Pier project, given on North Somerset Council’s website, was given in January 2025 and related to the tender process for the structural restoration work. The preliminary stabilisation works to the island buildings and cliff face, scheduled from Autumn to Winter 2024, are now completed. However, the next phase for the repair and renovation of the landside buildings does not appear to have been started, despite being scheduled for Spring 2025. The most recent update, shared mostly via social media, does not address the schedule for the project but rather explains why such a complex project takes so long and requires so much funding: more a rebuke to the mis-informed “nay-sayers” who proliferate social media. It is also notable that several of the Council’s planning applications for the project have not yet received planning approval, with three separate applications (each with their corresponding Listed Building Consent application) still pending consideration: 24/P/1907/FUL (pier deck reconstruction); 24/P/2010/FUL (lifeboat station) and 24/P/2439/R3 (island pavilion, boathouse café, “Pier View” internal alterations). In each, the last correspondence took place in January or February, and the statutory decision deadlines are now long passed. The applications should still be active and valid, however, and it might be that the Council have strategically delayed the issuing of the decisions such that they have more time to prepare for the works before the permissions expire after three years (just a speculation). Permission for the current building phase, for the avoidance of doubt, has already been granted and hopefully works will start imminently.

Brighton Palace Pier - The End of the Pier Show

In a striking development, a new variety show in the manner of “the End of the Pier Show” is to be revived at Brighton Palace Pier. Such shows have probably not been a fixture on the pier since 1973, when the pier theatre was disfigured in a storm and was never the same again (later being shamelessly scrapped in 1986, despite promises of dismantling and reconstruction at a later date). The new show will be held in Horatio’s Bar and will be led by Allison Ferns (of the BBC) and Jack Pallister. Auditions for additional performers will be held on the 1st July, and together the group will be known as the Palace Pier Performers. The attached article includes discussions from the two performers and from Brighton Palace Pier CEO Anne Ackford, and all three seem very excited and enthusiastic about this new fixture on the pier. Next? Perhaps convert the “Triodome” into a theatre or circus! (Pictured: Horatio’s Bar in 2018)

Gravesend Town Pier - Summer Events

A much-needed schedule of public events around the pier has been announced, organised by a partnership between Gravesend Borough Council and “Uber Boats by Thames Clippers”. This coincides with the Estuary Festival and the landing of Nao Santa Maria (the replica 15th Century ship), and will hopefully give the pier a more meaningful public function. There will also be photography exhibitions, postcards for sale and traditional entertainment.