Southport Pier is set for a major restoration after being awarded up to £20 million in government funding, a move hailed as a victory for “people power and the strength of our community in Southport.”
The announcement was made by Chancellor Rachel Reeves during her visit to the town on Saturday. The funding will allow essential repairs to begin on the iconic structure, which at 1,108m (3,635ft) is the second longest pier in the country.
A much-loved landmark since 1860, Southport Pier has stood proudly on the town’s coastline for over 160 years. The restoration work is expected to take 12 to 14 months to complete, with work due to start next year.
The news has been warmly welcomed by local businesses, particularly the Silcock Leisure Group, which operates Silcock’s Carousel, Silcock’s Funland, and Silcock’s Family Pier Restaurant at the pier’s entrance.
Serena Silcock-Prince, Operations Manager for Silcock Leisure Group, shared her delight in an interview with BBC North West Tonight on Monday. Her comments was also featured in a special programme celebrating the funding, which aired at 6.30pm on Monday 29th September.
Serena said:
“We are elated to hear that the Government is providing up to £20 million in funding to restore and reopen Southport Pier, which is such a treasured landmark for our town.
“It is the most incredible news we could have heard. It was wonderful to see Chancellor Rachel Reeves pay a visit to Southport to see the pier for herself ahead of making this announcement.
“It’s the best possible outcome after many months of campaigning by so many people.
“When we organised a public meeting about the future of Southport Pier at Silcock’s Family Pier Restaurant earlier this year, over 400 people turned up and for many there it was standing room only.
“It demonstrated the passion that local people have to want to see the pier reopened.
“The people of Southport really deserved and wanted this to happen.
“On a poll run by Stand Up For Southport, nearly 2,000 people took part with 97% of respondents saying they wanted to see funding provided to repair the pier.
“It showed how united the community has been in wanting this to happen.
“Everyone in our town – families, businesses – we all want our pier open again!
“Southport MP Patrick Hurley has been brilliant and very determined in lobbying the Government and putting forward Southport’s case in Parliament.
“We are very grateful for the support from Sefton Council which put everything in place ready for a funding bid to be made, including completing a full survey and securing Listed Consent planning permission for the pier’s restoration. Now the funding is secured, they are all ready to go.
“A big thank you to the family which runs the GABA Foundation, they spoke personally with the Prime Minister about how much it meant to Southport when they visited 10 Downing Street. They really drove home just how important Southport Pier is for children, young people and families in our town.
“We really appreciate all the media interest and media support from organisations in Southport, the Liverpool City Region and across the country, who have done so much to highlight this issue.
“They include BBC Radio Merseyside, with Kevin Duala and his team doing an outside broadcast from the pier in June as part of a full week spent live on air from Southport.
“I gave a talk recently at the Heritage Open Days Festival where I spoke from a personal point of view about how special Southport Pier is to me and my family.
“My maternal grandmother ran the famous cafe on stilts that overlooked Southport Pier. I have grown up with it being very much part of my life, and lots of people living and working here feel the same.
“When we are able to walk down the pier again, I will feel proud at having played a small part among many people in its restoration.
“Well done to the community of Southport for making this happen, through their determination and their pride in our heritage.
“People power and the strength of our community has made this happen – by working together, we have shown that Southport can achieve anything.”
Restoring pride in communities is a vital part of the Government’s Plan for Change to drive economic growth by attracting businesses, opportunity and jobs to every part of the country.
The up to £20 million investment, which is subject to completion of a full business case assessment, will support Sefton Council, owners of the Grade II listed pier, with its restoration. It will support local jobs, attract tourism and opportunity in Southport and the wider Liverpool City Region.
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