Silcock Leisure Group has welcomed the news that the £20 million restoration of Southport Pier has been formally approved by the Government.

The Growth Mission Fund panel has now given full approval to the business case submitted by Sefton Council for the complete repair of the much-loved landmark, paving the way for work to begin.

First opened in August 1860, Southport Pier is the oldest iron pier in the country. At 1,108 metres (3,635 feet) in length, it is also the second-longest pier in Great Britain, behind only Southend Pier.

A major visitor attraction for the town, Southport Pier has traditionally drawn hundreds of thousands of people each year and has been deeply missed since closing in December 2022.

With funding now confirmed, contractor AE Yates can begin preparing for the restoration works, which are expected to take up to 16 months to complete.

The reopening of the pier is expected to provide a significant boost for businesses across Southport, especially those based around the Pier Forecourt.

Among them is local family business Silcock Leisure Group, which operates several popular attractions and venues in the area, including Silcock’s Carousel, Silcock’s Funland and Silcock’s Pier Family Restaurant.

Silcock Leisure Group has been a vocal supporter of efforts to save and restore the pier. In January last year, the company organised a public meeting at the Pier Restaurant, where hundreds of local residents gathered to call for action and show their support for the landmark’s future.

Silcock Leisure Group Head of Operations Serena Silcock-Prince 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 for not just Southport but also the whole of the Liverpool City Region, and beyond. 

It attracts so many families to Southport who love its health and wellbeing benefits – we’ve all missed walking along it! 

The public meeting that we held last year, along with the poll run by Stand Up For Southport which showed 97% of respondents wanting the pier to be restored, showed the huge public support for this to happen. 

We’re very grateful for the determined support of Sefton Council and Leader Marion Atkinson, Southport MP Patrick Hurley, Southport Pier Trust, the Pier Society, local businesses and most of all the people of Southport who showed how much they wanted the pier to be reopened. 

I can’t wait to walk along Southport Pier again, and so many people are saying the same! 

We are really looking forward to seeing AE Yates contractors on site and restoration work taking place.” 

The Southport Pier restoration isn’t among several positive developments happening. 

Serena Silcock-Prince said: 

“There is a really positive momentum building in Southport now. 

We have Southport Pier being restored; the transformation of the Town Hall Gardens; plans to build the new Marine Lake Events Centre; work happening at sites including Leo’s Bar, the BHS Building and the former Southport Visiter office; a really packed programme of events throughout this year. 

There is a real sense of positivity in Southport now and an optimism that Southport has a really bright future ahead.

The news about Southport Pier has given everyone a real boost. 

We’re now looking forward to a really busy Easter holiday period, and welcoming lots of visitors to Southport.” 

Sefton Council has welcomed the approval of its business case to the Government’s Growth Mission Fund, unlocking £20 million to repair, restore and reopen the historic local landmark. 

Confirmed this week by the Growth Mission Fund panel, the decision means major works to restore the iconic Grade II listed structure can now get underway.

Southport Pier will undergo a comprehensive restoration programme that goes far beyond the original decking replacement plans approved three years ago.

Sefton’s successful funding bid follows extensive planning, structural assessments and public safety measures undertaken by the council over the past two years.

A detailed business case was submitted to the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), setting out the full scope of repairs, long-term maintenance needs and sustainability measures required to secure the pier for future generations.

Restoration work will include:

• Full replacement of decking boards and timber joists
• Extensive steelwork repairs and replacements due to corrosion
• Installation of new gates and CCTV
• Introduction of a robust long-term maintenance regime

Listed building consent is already in place, and the two‑stage design and build procurement process has been completed, allowing works to begin swiftly.

For more information on Southport Pier, visit the website.

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