North Somerset Council took ownership of Birnbeck Pier in July 2023.
At a sale price of £400k, funded by the RNLI, the purchase has enabled North Somerset Council to start work jointly with the charity on restoring Birnbeck Pier. They will re-open to the public and ensure a vital lifesaving lifeboat station can operate once again from the island.
Due to the high tidal range in the Bristol Channel, Birnbeck Island remains the safest and most effective location to launch lifeboats in Weston-super-Mare and help save lives.
The vision is not only to bring the pier and its buildings back from the brink of loss but to create a unique destination to support the wider regeneration of Weston-super-Mare.
About the pier
Birnbeck Pier was built opened in 1867. It was designed by Eugenius Birch and is the only pier in the country to link to an island. It is an outstanding example of Victorian engineering and is Grade II* listed. It used to be a very popular visitor attraction with funfairs, rides and steamer ferries.
During World War 2 it was taken over by the Admiralty and used as a secret base for weapons testing.
After the war, the site never fully regained its popularity. It began a slow decline passing through a series of private owners.
The lack of maintenance caused the pier to become unsafe and in 1994 it was closed to the public. The RNLI operated from a lifeboat station on the island since the pier opened. They were forced to leave in 2014 after the pier was deemed too dangerous. The RNLI is currently operating from a temporary base at Marine Lake.
Historic England were so concerned about the deterioration that it is on their National Buildings at Risk Register.
Due to concern about the pier, the council has been working with Historic England since 2003, and the RNLI since 2013, to develop a sustainable future for the site.
Compulsory Purchase Order
In 2020 the council started the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) process. The CPO public enquiry was scheduled to take place in August 2023, but on Thursday 13 July 2023 the owner agreed to sell Birnbeck Pier to North Somerset Council.