New photographs show the restoration of Southport Pier in full swing, with works underway after almost four years of closure. The Grade II listed pier, the oldest iron pier in the country, was closed by Sefton Council in 2022 on the advice of structural engineers following a period of extreme weather.
Restoration works begin
The closure has significantly impacted the town's leisure and tourism offer, with residents and business owners keen to see the pier reopened. Financial costs had left any possible reopening in limbo, but the promise of a full restoration has been looming for a while.
Last year, following a business case put forward by Sefton Council, the Department for Business and Trade confirmed £20m would be given to the local authority to repair, restore, and reopen the pier. Sefton Labour said the pier “will undergo a comprehensive restoration programme that goes far beyond the original decking replacement plans approved three years ago”.
Timeline and next steps
A press release from the party at the time said: “Sefton’s successful funding bid follows extensive planning, structural assessments and public safety measures undertaken by the council over the past two years.”
In June this year, the Liverpool ECHO reported that the next stage of the restoration had begun, with some parts of the structure set to be dismantled. In an update posted on social media, Sefton council leader Marion Atkinson said: “You will see some contractor movement in the next couple of weeks. You will also see, coming in July, some dismantling of parts of the pier. [Contractor] A E Yates are on site now, starting work. We promised, we said we would bring our fantastic, beautiful pier back, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
On September 30, Sefton Council was given planning approval for the discharge of three conditions relating to the proposed works, the paint finish details, and the exterior materials details. The pier will remain closed throughout the works, and was initially expected to reopen in the second half of 2027. However, a planning letter submitted in August appears to confirm the actual construction timescales and dates. According to a document produced by Pegasus Group, the main contractor will set up in June 2026, with work commencing in July 2026, and the contractor decant scheduled for November 2026 for the winter closedown.
