Southport Pier

Southport Pier
Southport Pier in 2016
TypePleasure
CarriesPedestrians
LocaleSouthport
OwnerSefton Council
Maintained bySefton Council
Characteristics
Total length1,108 m (3,635 ft)[1]
History
DesignerJames Brunlees[1]
ConstructorW & J Galloway[2]
Opening date2 August 1860; 164 years ago (1860-08-02)
ListedGrade II listed
Coordinates53°39′18″N 3°01′08″W / 53.655°N 3.019°W / 53.655; -3.019
Southport Pier is located in Southport town centre
Southport Pier
Southport Pier
Location in Southport
Southport Pier is located in Merseyside
Southport Pier
Southport Pier
Location in Merseyside

Southport Pier is a pleasure pier in Southport, Merseyside, England. Opened in August 1860, it is the oldest iron pier in the country. Its length of 1,108 m (3,635 ft) makes it the second-longest in Great Britain, after Southend Pier. Although at one time spanning 1,340 m (4,380 ft), a succession of storms and fires during the late 19th and early 20th centuries reduced its length to that of the present day.

The pier has been host to famous entertainers, including Charlie Chaplin in the early 20th century. It was visited by steamliners in its heyday, but silting of the channel meant that by the 1920s very few steamers were able to reach the pier, and the service ceased in 1929. The pier fell into disrepair throughout the late 20th century, and by 1990 it was operating at a significant annual loss with rising maintenance costs. The local council sought to have the pier demolished, but were defeated in their attempt by a single vote.

The pier was significantly restored during 2000–2002, and opened to the public in May 2002. The Southport Pier Tramway ran from Southport Promenade to the pier head at various times in the pier's history with various rolling stock, most recently until June 2015.[3]

The pier is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II listed building, first listed on 18 August 1975.

  1. ^ a b "Southport Pier Statistics". National Piers Society. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference historic_england was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "End of the line for iconic Pier Tram after rising maintenance costs". Champion. Retrieved 6 June 2015.