Call for major re-think over future of Southport Pier Pavilion

A leading campaigner for the restoration and improvement of Southport is calling for a major re-think over the design of the resort’s pier.

Cllr David Barton revealed that there were major concerns that heat retention issues in the Pavilion were actually driving away tourists during the summer months.

He said a policy of retaining and enhancing the pier’s Victorian heritage, including restoring its Victorian-style shelters was required to ensure it attracted the maximum number of visitors.

Cllr Barton, who represents Dukes Ward, said: “Anyone who has visited the pier Pavilion on a sunny day will know that the heat retention in the building makes it unbearably hot and actually puts people off using it.

“I have spoken at length to many, many people who hold the pier dear to their hearts and the overwhelming view is that, along with tackling this issue, we need to see a more Victorian-style Pavilion similar to those in Brighton and Eastbourne and which blends in better with Southport’s Classic Resort heritage.

“Within this there would be scope to enhance the layout of the pier to maximise the revenue which could be earned by traders and Sefton Council.”

Sefton Council is currently working on a bid to central Government to fund the renovation of the pier, which was rebuilt in 2001. Sefton is presently putting together a £2million bid for funding via a Stage 2 Application to the Coastal Communities Fund

It still retains some of the substructure, the legs it stands on and hand rails from when it was initially built in 1860 and Cllr Barton called for some of the new funding to be used to enhance the pier’s traditional appearance.

He said: “Given Southport’s impressive Victorian heritage, it would certainly be interesting to see if, given the choice, what residents, businesses and investors would prefer between an Eastbourne style pier and the contemporary den we currently have here in Southport.”

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