Restoration work is taking place on Southport Pier. Photo by Jason Williams owner of UK Drone Shots
A £20m restoration project is taking shape at Southport Pier. These drone images, captured by Jason Williams of UK Drone Shots, offer a striking view of the Grade II-listed landmark as major restoration work continues.
The pictures were shared in the Stand Up For Southport Facebook group as contractors AE Yates carry out the work on the scheme, led by Sefton Council. Southport Pier has been closed since December 2022 following concerns about its condition, but work to bring the historic structure back to life is now “continuing at pace”.
A rare glimpse of history
Jason Williams said the aerial images provide a rare glimpse of the pier during a major moment in its history. He said: “Take a look at a piece of Southport history, currently being rebuilt.
“Southport Pier has stood on the town's coastline since 1860. For generations it has been one of Southport's most recognisable landmarks - stretching more than 3,600 feet across the sands and holding the distinction of being Britain's oldest surviving iron pleasure pier.
“But the pier we all know is currently going through a major transformation. Closed since December 2022 following concerns over its condition, the Grade II listed structure is now undergoing a major restoration after £20 million of funding was approved earlier this year.
Work continuing at pace
“I visited Southport in October 2026 to capture the work from the air. From this perspective you can really appreciate both the sheer scale of the pier and the amount of work involved in bringing a structure more than 160 years old back to life. Sections have been stripped back, decking and infrastructure removed and preparations made for replacement steelwork as the restoration progresses.
“It's an unusual opportunity to document Southport Pier at a point that hopefully won't be seen again for a very long time. One day the scaffolding, machinery and exposed structure will be gone and visitors will once again be walking along the pier. For now, this is what an important moment in its history looks like from above.
“Hopefully I'll be back to film it again when the restoration is complete.”
In its latest update on the project, Sefton Council said restoration works are “continuing at pace”, with the installation of new British-bought steel set to be the next major stage.
Progress across the structure
The council's main contractor, AE Yates, has made significant progress across the historic structure, with dismantling works among the most recent focus of activity. Twenty-seven lighting arches have been safely disconnected and removed, while the kiosk and halfway house have also been taken down. A third kiosk is currently being dismantled.
Scaffolding has been erected across the landward section of the pier to provide safe access for contractors and allow the timber decking to be removed. Existing handrails, tramlines and mechanical and electrical services have also been taken away ahead of the next phase of the restoration.
Elsewhere, an access haul road and two large crane pads have been created in preparation for the installation of the new British-bought steel.
