Work on the £20m restoration of Southport Pier will begin in early 2026 as Sefton Council reveals when it expects the Victorian structure to reopen to the public. Tony McDonough reports
Sefton Council says work to restore and reopen Southport Pier will begin in early 2026 and it is expected to welcome the public back in 2027.
Dating back to 1860, the pier was closed to the public in December 2022 owing to the need for critical structural repairs. For a long period the future of the pier looked bleak with the council saying it did not have the funds to fix it.
However, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves visited Southport in late September and pledged £20m in Government funding as part of the Plan for Change policy to “drive economic growth by attracting businesses, opportunity and jobs to every part of the country”.
Once the work starts it is expected to take around 14 months to complete. On Thursday, November 6, Sefton Council’s cabinet will consider a report which outlines plans to start work as soon as possible on the iconic Southport Pier.
This funding announcement follows extensive planning, structural assessments and public safety measures undertaken by Sefton Council since it was forced to temporarily close the pier.
The Grade II listed structure, the second longest in Britain, stretches 3,600 feet and encompasses breathtaking views of the town’s Marine Lake, promenade and beach. It is estimated to contribute more than £15m annually to the local economy.
Thanks to Government funding, the restoration will go far beyond the original decking replacement plans approved three years ago. Following detailed surveys, the scope now includes:
- Full replacement of decking boards and timber joists.
- Extensive steelwork repairs and replacements due to corrosion.
- Installation of new gates and CCTV.
- Implementation of a new long-term maintenance regime.
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “I have been on record countless times saying we would be ready to start these works as soon as we get funding and we are staying completely true to our word.
“A two-stage design and build procurement process has already been completed, while listed building consent is also secured.
“The Council is in the process of submitting a business case to the Department for Business and Trade with the expectation work will begin in early 2026. We are working closely with the DBT to progress this process at pace.”
For more information on the Southport Pier project click here.