£2m grant will bring new life to the pier
SOUTHPORT Pier is set to be transformed after the council secured a £2m government grant.
The cash will be spent on improving the pavilion, creating new retail units and building a new stairway from the beach.
It will also fund extensive structural repairs and improvements to the railings on the Marine Lake.
Sefton Council successfully secured the funding from the Coastal Community Fund.
The ambitious scheme aims to restore the landmark structure, the oldest cast iron pier in the coun- try, to its former glory.
The overall project will involve more than £2.9m of improvements, creating additional jobs, increasing visitor numbers and securing Southport Pier as a valued asset for many years to come.
Sefton Council’s head of regeneration and housing, Phil Cresswell, said: “We are delighted to have received this funding from the Coastal Community Fund.
“The grant will allow us to deliver significant improvements with added features and attractions, along with better accessibility for more people to enjoy the pier.
“All of this will be supported by a comprehensive visitor welcome pack- age that allows us to showcase the pier as a main focal point of Southport.”
The Coastal Community Fund, managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government, is designed to support economic development of coastal communities by promoting sustainable economic growth and jobs. Southport is one of 33 projects in England to receive funding at this stage.
The pier project is part of the Southport Development Framework, part of efforts to attract further investment, and show that Sefton is open for business with a continued focus on increasing the visitor economy.