Plans for a second pier at Weston date back
to 1880 but work did not commence until 7th November 1903 to
the design of P.Munroe. It opened on 11th June 1904. It
measured 1080 feet and had cost £120,000, including the
2000 seat pavilion that was home to opera, music hall,
Shakespearean plays, ballet and boxing. By 1906, a 1500 foot
low water extension with a timber landing stage had been
completed but hazardous water conditions determined that few
boats ever moored there. Apart from 120 feet beyond the
pavilion, demolition of the extension took place between 1916
and 1918.
Light amusements were added in 1926 but, on 13th January 1930,
the pavilion was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt in 1932/3
and housed a large funfair instead of a theatre. Mr A.Brenner
bought the pier in July 1946. The entrance was rebuilt in 1970
and, in 1974, the pier gained listed building status.
For the 1993 season, a new £250,000 bowling alley had
been added. The following winter, approximately £350,000
was spent on re-decking and installing a two-storey fun house
and Ferris Wheel. Other facilities included a rail-less
train.
In early 2008, the pier was sold by the Brenner family to
Michelle and Kerry Michael, a local brother and sister
partnership, who spent considerable time and money refurbishing
the pier making it one of the towns premier entertainment
venues. But on 28th July 2008 a massive fire destroyed the
pavilion.
However, the new owners were determined that Weston's Grand
Pier would rise again from the ashes and in October 2008, the
design submitted by architects Angus Meek for a new pier
pavilion was chosen. In November, the removal of the blackened
remains of the old pavilion was completed by TR Demolition, and
in December the plans for the new pavilion were submitted to
North Somerset Council. Rebuilding work commenced in April 2009
with the installation by Commercial Marine & Piling Ltd of
additional piles to support the new pavilion. By August 2009,
the piling work was completed and John Sisk & Son had been
appointed as the contractor to build the new pavilion.
The new, modern replacement pavilion opened
on October 23rd 2010 and Weston-Super-Mare Grand Pier
once again resumed its place as one of the UK's
premier attractions.
On the November 12th 2010, the National
Piers Society presented its Outstanding Achievement Award to
pier owner, Kerry Michael. The award, an inscribed
commemorative plate created by the Bristol Blue Glass
Company, was presented on the pier by Mike Davies,
National Piers Society Executive Committee Member.
In March 2011, the Grand Pier launched British Tourism Week's
Party on the Pier, with simultaneous parties hosted on piers, harbours
and jetties around the coast and on inland rivers, canals and lakes.
The event on March 12 was launched by Tourism Minister and Weston MP John Penrose.
And in April 2011, the Grand Pier was announced as the winner of the National
Piers Society's prestigious 'Pier of the Year' award.
The restored pier was formally opened by Princess Anne on 25th July 2011.
The Links below provide further interest on
the history of the Grand Pier
