Southport Pier set for £20m comeback as Government approves major restoration plans

There’s long-awaited good news for Southport Pier as a £20 million restoration project has officially been given the green light by Government.

The Growth Mission Fund panel has approved the business case submitted by Sefton Council, paving the way for full repair works to begin on one of the region’s most iconic landmarks.

First opened back in 1860, Southport Pier holds the title of the oldest iron pier in the country and stretches an impressive 1,108 metres, making it the second longest in the UK. It’s long been a major draw for the town, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors every year before its closure in December 2022.

Now, with funding secured, contractor AE Yates is preparing to start work, with the full restoration expected to take around 16 months.

The reopening is set to deliver a major boost for Southport’s economy, particularly for businesses based around the pier. That includes family-run Silcock Leisure Group, which operates attractions on the Pier Forecourt such as Silcock’s Carousel, Silcock’s Funland and Silcock’s Pier Family Restaurant.

The group has been a vocal supporter of the pier’s restoration, even organising a packed public meeting last year which saw hundreds of residents come together to call for action.

Head of Operations Serena Silcock-Prince said the news is a huge moment for the town.

She said: “Seeing approval of the business case for the full restoration of Southport Pier is very exciting. It’s wonderful news for Southport.

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone in our town who supported the campaign to reopen Southport Pier and highlighted its plight. The whole community came together and has been really united on this cause.

“Southport Pier is such a much-loved landmark not just for Southport but across the Liverpool City Region and beyond. It attracts so many families who enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits – we’ve all missed walking along it.

“The public meeting we held last year, alongside a poll showing overwhelming support for restoration, really demonstrated how much people wanted this to happen.

“We’re very grateful for the support from Sefton Council, local leaders, businesses and most of all the people of Southport. I can’t wait to walk along Southport Pier again, and so many people are saying the same.

“We’re really looking forward to seeing contractors on site and work getting underway.”

The restoration will go far beyond earlier plans, with a full programme of works now confirmed. This includes replacing decking boards and timber joists, carrying out significant steel repairs, installing new gates and CCTV, and introducing a long-term maintenance plan to protect the structure for years to come.

With listed building consent already in place and procurement completed, work is expected to begin quickly.

The announcement comes amid a wider wave of investment and regeneration across Southport, helping to build momentum ahead of a busy year of events and the upcoming Easter holidays.

For now, though, it’s the return of Southport Pier that’s giving the town its biggest lift – and after more than two years closed, it’s a comeback many will be eager to see.

Get more information on Southport Pier here.

Southport Heritage Running Day returns this weekend with vintage buses and charity fundraising.

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