Key points:
- Birnbeck Pier receives £10m National Lottery grant on its 160th anniversary
- Restoration project will preserve the UK's only island-connecting pier and enable a new Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station
- The initiative forms part of broader Weston-super-Mare regeneration strategy
The Grade II listed Birnbeck Pier in Weston-super-Mare has been awarded £10m ($13m) in National Lottery funding, marking an important turning point in its preservation on its 160th anniversary.
The announcement also coincides with both the National Lottery's 30th anniversary and the RNLI's bicentennial celebration.
The Victorian-era structure, designed by Eugenius Birch and opened in 1867, represents a unique piece of British coastal heritage as the only pier in the UK connecting the mainland to an island.
After serving as a popular tourist destination, the pier's decline began post-World War II, with its final steamer excursion in 1979. Public access ceased in 1994 due to safety concerns following years of inadequate maintenance under private ownership.
The funding will primarily focus on rehabilitating the pier's structure, currently listed on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register.
The RNLI plans to establish a new lifeboat station on the island, which remains strategically important for marine rescue operations in the area.
Good to know: North Somerset Council, in partnership with the RNLI, will oversee the new restoration project
Council Leader Mike Bell acknowledged the importance of the funding, stating: “£10m is a significant amount of money – we’re so grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for their ongoing support of our project to restore Birnbeck Pier. I must also acknowledge and thank National Lottery players as this simply wouldn’t have been possible without them.”
Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, added: “This is great news for Weston-super-Mare and beyond. Thanks to National Lottery players, Birnbeck Pier is set to be brought back from the brink of loss, ensuring its 160-year historic legacy is preserved for generations to come.
“We are proud to be part of this transformative project, which promises to enhance and regenerate the cultural and economic landscape of the area, provide local employment opportunities and be a source of pride and enjoyment for generations to come.
“National Lottery funding ensures that this heritage will be valued, cared for, and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.”
