Victorian shelters restored to former glory

A LONG-awaited project to restore Victorian shelters on Weston-super-Mare seafront to their former glory has been completed.

In their heyday, the three shelters along the prom were used by the Victorians to shelter from the sun.

But in recent years they had become an eyesore, unloved and in a state of disrepair. The structures were decommissioned in 2020 after they were deemed unsafe.

Plans to restore them had been put forward in 2019, but sadly work had to be put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic. Now, after months of work, the 19th century Grade II listed structures, have been brought back into use.

North Somerset Council executive member for communities, tourism and leisure Councillor Mike Solomon said: “This has been a community project made possible thanks to WSM Trust, Civic Society, Axentis Michael Charitable Trust, Howards Motors and The Mead Family, all who, along with North Somerset Council, have helped to fund the works to bring these shelters back to life.

“There was a real commitment from all parties to see these cultural assets come back to life.”