It was almost curtains for Birnbeck Pier.
The Grade II* listed promenade in Weston-Super-Mare has been lying derelict for more than a decade, and was named one of the 10 most endangered buildings in the UK by the Victorian Society all the way back in 2015. Plans by the council to bring it back to life had been progressing well until June this year, when the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI), which had pledged £5.5 million, pulled out.
For the past few months, Birnbeck’s fate has hung in the balance – but a saviour has come. The National Lottery Heritage Fund has stepped in to fill the funding gap, bringing its total contribution to the renovation to more than £15 million.
Local councillors had expected to be forced to vote in favour of cancelling the project, but with this windfall they were instead able to vote to award a contract to civil engineering firm Mackley. A total of £20 million has been donated towards the restoration from various groups including the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England, the government, and the National Heritage Memorial Fund.
Birnbeck, built in the 1860s, is one of six remaining Grade II* listed piers in the country, and is the only one in England to connect the mainland with an island. The council says the extent of the funding it has managed to gather ‘reflect[s] the national significance of the project’.
Leader of the local North Somerset Council Mike Bell said that ‘put simply, this lifeline has saved the day… we can now press on with plans to restore this extraordinary part of our coastal heritage’.
Another council member, Mark Canniford, who has been taking the lead on the project, agreed, adding; ‘This new funding proves national confidence in our plans. It safeguards a Victorian treasure, unlocks over £20m of investment’.
Works should start by the end of this year, and continue into late 2026. The Chief Executive of the National Lottery Fund noted the pier as ‘holds a special place in people’s hearts and memories’ and that ‘the additional grant reflects our commitment to saving heritage at risk and investing in the communities it belongs to’.
‘The restoration of the pier is a transformational project, enhancing and regenerating the cultural and economic landscape of Weston-super-Mare and providing enjoyment for generations to come.’
ICYMI: One of the most luxurious hotels in Britain is getting a major makeover
Plus: An extraordinary 1,500-year-old ‘lost kingdom’ has been uncovered in Britain
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out UK newsletter for the latest UK news and the best stuff happening across the country.