History of

Southwold pier was constructed in 1900, following the passing of the Southwold Pier Order in 1899. 810 feet long, it was built to the design of W.Jeffrey.

The Amusement Equipment Company Ltd took over the pier in July 1906, after the Coast Development Company was wound up. In 1934, the T-shaped head was destroyed by storms. Two years later, a new pavilion was built at the shoreward end, replacing existing buildings.

'Belle' steamers called from London, Clacton and Great Yarmouth but this service ended in the 1930s. The pier was sectioned as a war precaution in 1940 and was damaged by a mine. It was rebuilt in 1948 at a cost of £30,000. A gale in October 1955 isolated the seaward end, which washed away. Another storm in February 1979 reduced the length to 150 feet.

Part of the pavilion became a public house in 1960 and, after Mr and Mrs Iredale acquired the freehold in 1987, £100,000 was spent restoring the first floor theatre and function room. The pavilion re-opened in December 1988.

A major refurbishment program was started in 1999 in order to rebuild the pier. This was completed in 2001 almost 100 years after it was first opened. In 2002 the T-Shaped end was additionally added, bringing the pier to a total length of 623 feet (190 m), enabling visits by the PS Waverley paddle steamer and its sister ship the M.V.Balmoral.

A range of highly innovative of attractions and amusements have been developed for the pier which no doubt will assure its continuing popularity.

In 2005 the pier was sold to new owners, Mr Stephen Bournes and his wife Antonia, under whose stewardship it continued to be one of the Suffolk coast’s most cherished attractions.

In April 2007, the Bournes were granted permission to build apartments on the upper floor of the pier, but these could only be used on a seasonal basis. So, in 2009, a new plan to demolish the old pavilion and build a new luxury hotel was proposed. Waveney District Council finally approved the plans to build a five storey 30 bedroom hotel over the pier entrance in early 2010. Welcoming the decision its owner Stephen Bournes said that 6 full-time and 6 part-time jobs would be created, in addition to the 95 staff already employed during the summer season.

However, in July 2010 in a shock move, the pier was put up for sale, the owners being unable to commit to a higher than estimated cost for the new hotel. Then in January 2011, to great relief in the local community, the Bournes decided to take the well-loved structure off the market. Mr Bournes said the long-term plan was still to proceed with the hotel project but that in the short term, they would be investing £150,000 on new toilets and a larger kitchen area for the Boardwalk restaurant.

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