Contractors from AE Yates have begun visible repair work on Southport Pier as the town receives large visitor numbers for The 154th Open Golf Championship. The programme, commissioned by Sefton Council, is a major conservation and engineering project with a budget of £20 million.
Scope and timeline of the restoration
Work is concentrated this week around the shelter adjacent to Ocean Plaza retail park and includes upgrades to lighting and other infrastructure. The council expects the full restoration to take between 14 and 16 months. The pier has been closed to the public since December 2022, and the authority is aiming for access for visitors again in the coming year once the programme has progressed.
Heritage and local significance
Opened in August 1860, Southport Pier is the oldest iron pier in the country. At a length of 1,108 metres (3,635 ft) it is the second-longest pier in Great Britain after Southend. It is a longstanding local landmark and a year-round visitor draw that contributes to the town's tourism economy.
The restoration follows approval earlier this year by the Growth Mission Fund panel for the business case submitted by Sefton Council for the full repair. AE Yates are the principal contractor appointed to carry out the works.
Local context during The Open
Southport has been hosting significant numbers of visitors in recent days associated with The Open. Organisers reported roughly 300,000 international visitors in the town this week, placing extra attention on the pier works given the added footfall and profile.
- Contractor: AE Yates
- Project value: £20 million
- Closure since: December 2022
- Expected duration: 14–16 months
- Pier length: 1,108 m (3,635 ft)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Opened | August 1860 |
| Length | 1,108 m (3,635 ft) |
| Project cost | £20 million |
| Closure | Since December 2022 |
| Estimated work period | 14–16 months |
For local residents and businesses, the restoration represents both a conservation priority and a longer-term investment in the town's tourism infrastructure. The pier's reopening is expected to support visitor numbers once complete, while the ongoing works require careful co-ordination to limit disruption during a period of heightened activity in Southport.
Sefton Council commissioned the works following a formal approval process and the Growth Mission Fund panel's endorsement of the council's business case earlier in the year. AE Yates, the contractor on site, is undertaking structural repairs, shelter refurbishment and lighting upgrades as part of the restoration package.
Members of the public and local stakeholders will be watching progress closely in the months ahead as the project advances towards the stated target of reopening the pier to visitors.
