As Southport Pier nears its 165th birthday, worries mount over its future amid ongoing closures and safety concerns
Southport: 2024 has been another tough year for those hoping to see Southport Pier reopen. This iconic spot is celebrating its 165th birthday, but it’s still closed after being shut down in 2022 by Sefton Council.
The pier was closed due to safety concerns following some rough weather. Engineers took a look and decided it just wasn’t safe for visitors anymore. Since then, locals and tourists have been itching for it to open again, especially with many businesses relying on the foot traffic it brings.
Southport Pier has had its ups and downs over the years. It’s not the first time it’s faced closures. Back during World War II, it was shut down to set up searchlights to protect against bombers. Then in 1959, a fire took out a big chunk of it, and a storm in 1989 almost led to its demolition.
In 1998, it closed again for safety reasons, leading to a major restoration that took three years. But a recent report pointed out some ongoing issues from past repairs that are still causing trouble.
Now, with the pier being the second-longest in Britain, its closure is really hurting Southport’s tourism scene. Local business owners, like Colin Jamieson from Southport Pier Pavilion, are feeling the pinch. He’s been vocal about how the closure has devastated his business and others in the area.
Colin hopes for a reopening by next April, but that’s looking less likely as the restoration project seems to be stuck. Sefton councillor Paulette Lappin mentioned they’re doing everything they can to secure funding for repairs, but there’s no new news yet.
In October, Sefton Council put in a planning application for repairs, and Historic England has given the thumbs up on the plans. But as things move slowly, 2024 is shaping up to be another disappointing year for those wanting to see Southport Pier back in action.
Mike Sammon, a local councillor, shared on social media that everyone, no matter where they’re from, wants to see the pier reopen. He’s calling on Sefton Council and the Government to make it happen.
