- Chancellor has announced up to £20
million to restore the historic Southport pier.
- Currently closed due to significant structural issues and
damaged by fire in August, the pier will now be restored to its
former glory.
- The investment is part of the new Growth Mission Fund, which
will finance projects that contribute to helping deliver this
Government's Plan for Change
Today (Saturday 27th September) the Chancellor
was in Southport to announce the Government will restore the
town's historic pier, with the expectation that restoration of
the Merseyside landmark will begin early next year.
Restoring pride in communities is a vital part of the
Government's Plan for Change to drive economic growth by
attracting businesses, opportunity and jobs to every part of the
country.
The up to £20 million investment, which is subject to completion
of a full business case assessment, will support Sefton Council,
owners of the Grade II listed pier, with its restoration. It will
support local jobs, attract tourism and opportunity in Southport
and the wider Liverpool City Region. Completion of the
restoration and reopening to the public is expected to be within
three years.
Chancellor of the Exchequer said:
"Southport Pier is a beloved landmark. A national treasure that
has been allowed to fall into disrepair, no longer. I'm proud
that through our Plan for Change families across Merseyside
should be able to enjoy this wonderful attraction again.”
Business and Trade Secretary said:
“I know how important this iconic pier is to Southport and
Merseyside and getting it back up and running will have huge
benefits. This is not just about restoring an historic landmark,
but regenerating it to bring prosperity in a way that people can
see and feel.
“My department will now work quickly with local partners to agree
a business case to deliver on creating jobs and helping people
feel pride in their community.”
, Mayor of the Liverpool City
Region said:
“Southport Pier holds a special place in the hearts of people
across the Liverpool City region and beyond. Generations of
families have walked along it, shared ice creams on it, and made
memories that last a lifetime. Its closure has been felt deeply
by the whole community, which is why today's announcement will
mean so much to local people.
“I want to thank the Government for listening and committing the
funding needed to restore this much-loved landmark to its former
glory. Bringing the pier back to life will help protect local
jobs, attract more visitors and give Southport a real boost.
Working with Sefton Council, we'll make sure the pier once again
stands proud as both a symbol of our heritage and a driver of
future prosperity in our growing £6.25bn visitor economy.”
Southport Pier, originally opened in 1860, is one of the oldest
iron piers in the country and a significant tourist attraction
for the North West. Its restoration will support the local
tourism economy and preserve an important piece of Britain's
Victorian engineering heritage.
The restoration project at the Pier is already at an advanced
stage, which means funding can be deployed rapidly towards the
work once the business case is approved.
The funding towards Southport Pier's restoration comes as part of
the Growth Mission Fund, previously announced by the Chancellor
at the Spending Review. The fund provides £240 million over four
years to expedite local projects that contribute to economic
growth. Projects that will be targeted will support local job
creation, invest in economic regeneration, or maintain heritage
assets—filling gaps where projects might otherwise struggle to
secure funding through existing programmes.
Further projects to be funded as part of the Growth Mission Fund
will be confirmed in due course.
