The restoration of Weston-super-Mare’s historic Birnbeck Pier has been saved at the “eleventh hour” thanks to a crucial £5.5 million funding injection. The announcement came moments before councillors were set to vote on canceling the project due to a significant funding shortfall.
North Somerset Council had prepared to officially halt the restoration after the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) withdrew their support in June, citing viability concerns. This withdrawal left a critical £5.5 million gap in financing.
In a dramatic turn during a council meeting, members were informed that the National Lottery Heritage Fund had stepped in to cover the shortfall. Council leader Mike Bell expressed relief and gratitude, stating, “We promised to work right up until the eleventh hour to find a solution, and I am delighted our efforts have paid off. This lifeline has saved the day—without it, Birnbeck Pier’s future would be in real danger.”
READ MORE: Pupils Feel Safer as Kewstoke Primary School Shows Clear Improvement Following Ofsted Review
READ MORE: Wellington Station Project Moves Forward After Years of Delay
The National Lottery Heritage Fund had already invested £10 million into the project, and with this additional grant, their total contribution rises to over £15.5 million. Chief Executive Eilish McGuinness emphasized the importance of preserving heritage and supporting community regeneration, saying, “The restoration of the pier is a transformational project that will enhance the cultural and economic landscape of Weston-super-Mare for generations to come.”
Mark Canniford, councillor responsible for the project, highlighted the turnaround: “Just a week ago, we faced the prospect of shutting the restoration down. Now, with this funding, it’s full steam ahead. This support validates our plans and unlocks over £20 million in investment to restore public access to the pier and island.”
Work on the pier structure is scheduled to begin by the end of 2025 and is expected to last just over a year, with completion targeted for the end of 2026. The council has also committed additional capital funding to cover risk contingencies, ensuring the project’s responsible delivery.
Birnbeck Pier, designed by Eugenius Birch and opened in 1867, is England’s only pier connected to an island. Closed in 1994 due to safety concerns, the Grade II* listed pier has since fallen into severe disrepair and was placed on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register in 1998.
The restoration is the council’s flagship regeneration initiative, combining funding from the Levelling Up Fund for adjacent land-side buildings with plans to restore the pier structure itself. Previously, the RNLI played a key role in the project, even providing £400,000 to assist with the pier’s purchase in 2023. Their withdrawal had cast doubt over the project’s future.
However, the council vote now unanimously supports continuing the restoration and awarding the contract to Mackley, specialist marine and heritage contractors, to carry out the works. Three councillors abstained, but no votes opposed the plan.
With the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s support secured, Birnbeck Pier’s revitalization is back on track, preserving a beloved Victorian landmark and breathing new life into Weston-super-Mare’s waterfront.