Council in £2.77m bid to give pier new life
SOUTHPORT Pier could be transformed under an ambitious £2.77m scheme being put together by Sefton Council.
The plans would create new shops and cafes on the structure, transform the existing pier pavilion and build a new pier entrance and steps up from the beach.
Sefton wants to “maximise the pier throughout the year, with a focus on green tourism during the winter months”.
The cash would also ensure that essential structural works are undertaken to the Grade II-Listed facility.
The landmark structure, the oldest surviving iron pleasure pier in the country, was first opened in 1860.
Sefton is putting together a £2m bid for funding via a Stage 2 Application to the Coastal Communities Fund, with the rest of the cash coming from the council itself, and from Southport BID (Business Improvement District).
In his report to councillors, Sefton Head of Inward Investment & Employment Mark Long, said: “Southport Pier is in a poor physical condition and provides very limited facilities for the user.
“An Expression of Interest application was prepared, focusing on enhancing the Grade IIlisted pier to increase visitor appeal and contribute to the growth of the wider visitor economy.”
As well as improving the pier, the council is looking to create three Welcome Ambassadors for the town, as part of “a comprehensive Welcome programme for visitors”.
Money would also be spent on making improvements to surrounding railings on Marine Lake.
Mr Long said: “If supported, the project will deliver over £2.7m visitor economy improvements that will help steer Southport into a direction that can capture benefits that a growing visitor economy will bring.
“The project will create eight direct jobs; this will consist of three Welcome Ambassador roles, with the remaining jobs created by the additional concessions on the pier.
“The Welcome Ambassador roles will be created in April, 2017, in time for the Open Golf Championship.
“Currently, there are 20 people employed on the pier, a mixture of full time and seasonal workers. The works to the pier, along with the remodelling, will help safeguard these jobs for the foreseeable future.”
If the £2m Coastal Communities Fund application is approved by the Government, work would be due to begin in April next year, with funding to be spent by December, 2019.
Chair of the Southport Pier Trust, Peter Hampson, said: “The Trust supports the proposals and, if successful, looks forward to working with Sefton to ensure the pier continues to be enjoyed by both residents and visitors.”
Sefton Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills Cllr Marion Atkinson, said: “Southport Pier is the oldest iron constructed pier in the country, and, if successful, the bid would help preserve this status.
“The CCF bid sits perfectly with recent tourism figures, which show Southport, as a tourist destination, is on the up, with visitor numbers growing, generating millions of pounds for the local economy.
“If successful, it would also generate further jobs in the town.”