Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and answers.
This list will be updated as the project progresses through its various stages.
The Pier was closed in December 2022 on health and safety grounds following extreme cold weather and advice from independent structural engineers. Subsequent detailed surveys confirmed significant deterioration to both the timber decking and elements of the steel structure and supported the decision that the Pier should remain closed until the necessary repairs are completed.
A E Yates are now contracted to carry out the refurbishment. Progress has been positive to date, with the reopening of the Pier expected in Summer 2028.
Yes. Listed Building Consent was secured by January 2025. The current works are being delivered against that consent.
Defects associated with the earlier refurbishment have contributed to the Pier's present condition. These included problems with timber, fixings, coating preparation and detailing of steelwork, including features that create water traps or make effective protective coating difficult. The Pier also operates in an exceptionally aggressive marine environment, and subsequent investigations have identified deterioration requiring far more than straightforward replacement of the deck.
The Council did carry out annual maintenance prior to the closure.
The published records show more than £3 million of maintenance and capital improvement expenditure between 2016/17 and 2022/23, with ongoing maintenance continuing until the Pier closed.
The refurbishment is necessary because maintenance alone could not overcome the combination of underlying defects, ageing materials and continued exposure to the marine environment.
The Pier now has its own funding route, with Government having announced up to £20 million through the Growth Mission Fund.
Maintenance helped keep the Pier operational for many years, including intensive work to decking before closure. It could not permanently address the underlying structural and material problems subsequently identified through detailed investigation.
The purpose of the current refurbishment is therefore not simply to repeat short-term repairs, but to replace and repair major elements of the Pier and establish an appropriate future maintenance strategy.
The plaques were removed and placed securely into storage. The Southport Pier Trust retains overall responsibility for them and options are now being explored on how best to include them within the new Pier.
The council suspended rent requirements following closure, with road-train rent already suspended, and allowed trading from the Half Way House while it remained safe. Alternative trading locations had also been offered
The Council recognises the importance of the train, both to the visitor experience and accessibility, and wants to identify a solution capable of allowing its safe return.
A E Yates are scheduled to have a winter shutdown to avoid unproductive working during the harshest months of the year. This is scheduled to take place between November 2026 – March 2027 and November 2027 – March 2028. Opportunity to undertake works not effected by the weather will be explored to maximise programme benefit.