The Grand Pier Weston super Mare is now closed
Due to re-open in the summer of 2010, the Grand Pier is closed for the re-construction of a brand new state of the art pavilion. Please visit regularly for updates and press releases regarding the Pavilion re-build. Thank you for your support.
Photographer to Chronicle Pier Reconstruction
11th June 2009
West Country photographer Chris Abbott has been given the task of recording the rebuilding of Weston's Grand Pier for posterity and appointed as the official photographer of the rebuild.
Chris, from Somerset, will be chronicling work on the £34 million reconstruction stage by stage until its completion in 2010.
He will be given unique access to the site by pier owners Kerry and Michelle Michael to create a documentary record of the work.
Read full story.....
Grand Pier rebuild back on track
04th June 2009
North Somerset Council and the Grand Pier Company have reached an agreement on a number of issues related to the redevelopment of the attraction.
Since last week when news first broke that there was a problem, the two sides have met every day and negotiated an agreement that means the £34million project will continue in earnest.
Grand Pier co-owner, Kerry Michael said: "We are grateful to the Leader of the Council who personally took control of the negotiations. We have worked through the issues to reach a solution which is acceptable to all. Once the key decision makers were all together, we very quickly reached agreement and after that it was just a matter of putting the relevant professionals together to formalise the agreement."
“All we want to do is to get on with the re-building of the Grand Pier, a project which we hope will be the catalyst for the continuing regeneration of the town."
Cllr Nigel Ashton, Leader of North Somerset Council, added: "Following the fire last year which destroyed the pavilion we have worked closely with the owners and will continue to offer our support to them in their efforts to re-build the attraction."
This means that work on the redevelopment of the Pier can progress as planned and on time in accordance with the original completion date of summer 2010.
North Somerset Council and the pier owners both remain fully committed to the redevelopment of this important landmark site.
North Somerset Council put Pier rebuild in jeopardy
29th May 2009
The Grand Pier is facing a contstant battle with North Somerset Council regarding the rebuild.
We do not think this is acceptable and we would like as many of our friends to support us by telling the council just how important it is for everyone that our Pier is rebuilt as soon as possible.
Our ambition is to build the best Pier in the world that everyone will want to visit; most importantly a place that people of Weston-super-Mare will be proud of and, in turn, will make Weston-super-Mare one of the best seaside resorts in the UK.
North Somerset Council are now preventing us from achieving our goal, due to the continuous spiralling costs they are demanding.
We now need your help to save your Pier.
Read Official Statement From Kerry Michael
From Piers to eternity!
27th May 2009
Romantic Weston-super-Mare couple Hazel Costin and Jay Peller intend to get married on the Grand Pier once the new pavilion is completed but they have set themselves an exciting task first.
They are kissing on every pier in the British Isles to celebrate the fact that their first kiss was on the pier at Weston.
Read full story.....
Grand Pier work on course
19th May 2009
Work to rebuild the Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare is on target with support piles for the attraction’s new 85 metre observation tower due to be driven into the sea bed next week.
So far 22 steel piles have been driven into the sea bed by Commercial Marine Piling to support the new pavilion, which is planned to open in time for the 2010 summer season.
Read full story.....
New thrill-seeking rides for Grand Pier
07th May 2009
A three storey fun house, a laser room and a mirror maze are among the thrilling attractions that will be found on Weston's multi-million pound Grand Pier.
The revamped state-of-the-art pavilion will feature some of the most technologically-advanced rides in the world, it has been revealed this week.
Read full story.....
The Barge has Arrived!
21st April 2009
The latest news about the Pier is the start of the rebuild. A barge has been parked next to the Pier to hold the equipment and a large crane for the building work. Both the Weston Mercury and the Bristol Evening Post have given us excellent coverage of the barge’s arrival.
Read full story.....
The Re-build Has Begun!
10th April 2009
Work to rebuild Weston’s Grand Pier following last year’s devastating fire is set to begin.
A contractor has been appointed to carry out piling that will help support the new pavilion.
The piling, which will be carried out by Commercial Marine & Piling Ltd (CMP) from Hampshire, will mean around 70 new piles being strategically placed to ensure the pier can support the new pavilion. Scheduled to last up to 15 weeks, the piles will be driven approximately 30 metres into the bedrock.
Read full story.....
Worle School Visit
25th March 2009
Pupils studying Design & Technology from Worle Community School re-visited the Grand Pier to see for themselves how work is progressing to replace the iconic attraction.
Having visited back in October 2008, the 40 pupils are using the rebuilding of the Pier as a way to learn and understand how design and technology shapes their everyday lives.
Guided by Mike Joannou - Grand Pier Security Manager, the pupils were given an update on the work and what the next phases in the re-building of the pier will be including the piling which will help support the new pavilion
Design and Technology teacher Peter Williams said: “It’s great for the pupils to see at first hand how, what they learn in the classroom is being applied to such an iconic structure as this and we would like to thank Mike for showing us around.
“There is a lot going on in Weston at the moment and the fact that it is going on right on our doorstep makes it very real for the pupils.”
Mike added: “It’s a great way for the pupils to learn the practicalities of design and technology and how they are being applied to a live project. I hope they’re able to take inspiration from what is going on here and look forward to seeing them again in the future for a further update.”
Read full story.....
You Tube Channel
24th March 2009
We have now set up our own youtube channel, which we plan to keep updated with the new happenings about the Pier, plus some insights into the history of the Pier.
So far we have been adding the Pier fans videos as our favourites so if you wish to add us as a friend, we will add you as a friend back. Also, if you have any videos you think we will like, please message us or post it as a comment to the blog or on the official facebook fanpage (link to your left in the links menu!)
We have also added the computerised walk through plan of the new Pier to the channel, previously seen on BBC news.
Happy viewing!
Read full story.....
Buttons and the Grand Pier Fire
20th March 2009
As some of you may know, one of the members of staff at the Grand Pier is an 8ft tall clown! Buttons decided to have a party on the night of the fire and was so full up with sweets, he slept in the sweet shop that night. He woke up to the sounds of the fire engines and decided to enlist the help of the Pier owners to tell his story about the fire.
The Grand Pier teamed up with Weston College to host a competition to a group of illustration students to bring Buttons' story to life in a brand new children's book.
Michelle Michael, co-owner at the pier said: “The idea came about because many children were worried about Buttons after the fire. As a result we wanted to let everyone know he is safe and well by producing a book telling his story.”
Nina Sully was the lucky student who has won the competition to provide all the illustrations for the book, written by Hayley Carlin. Nina, who lives in Weston-super-Mare, is currently studying on the National Diploma Foundation Studies Art & Design course and will now finalise her work for the book which will be published later in the year. Nina, who was born in Weston, was a biology teacher until she retired last August. A keen artist, she enrolled on the course to extend her skills and the opportunity to produce the illustrations for the book was one she just couldn’t miss.
Nina said: “Coming from Weston the chance to work on a children’s book about the pier was something I just had to do. To win is a real thrill and I’m working hard to make sure my initial illustrations are ready for the book to be printed. To think that my illustrations will be enjoyed by children for years to come is a real honour and I can’t wait to see the first printed copies.”
Jonathan Swindall, lecturer at Weston College added: “This was a great project for the students to work on. As a live project they had to work to a real deadline which acted as a great motivator. To get something published is also a great opportunity at this level and is fantastic for each student’s development.”
Read full story.....
Interview with Pier owner
19th March 2009
Our friends at the Weston Mercury have posted an interview with Grand Pier co-owner, Michelle Michael, following the rebuilding plans being given the thumbs up!
To see the video, click here. For news that accompanies the video, see below.
Work on Weston's new £34million Grand Pier could start by the end of the month.
With rebuilding plans given the green light last night (Thus), the first contractors are expected to be signed up today (Fri) and work will start within weeks.
Pier co-owner Kerry Michael said: "We have worked very closely with North Somerset planners and between us we have given due consideration to all aspects of the application and ironed out any potential problems."
A second contractor could be signed up within 10 weeks and the pier could be open for business by next summer.
The most expensive item on the landmark structure is likely to be an observation tower at the rear, which is coming in at a cost of around £2million.
The proposals for the new attraction include a bar around three times bigger than the previous one, a Victorian tea room and a central canopy that would run the whole length of the pier, with sides that could close in bad weather.
This week, Mr Michael described how much enthusiasm has been shown for a wedding venue which would be incorporated in the new-look pavilion, with dozens phoning him up hoping to be the first to tie the knot on the new attraction.
But the Weston businessman says he will not book any ceremonies for the new glazed area until he has confirmed a re-opening date for the pier.
Read full story.....
Grand Pier Webcam
The Grand Pier webcam shows the changes as work takes place to rebuild it after the devastating fire on July 28, 2008.
Launch webcam.....
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Can You Help Us?
Pictures, stories, memorabilia, ideas?
A huge collection of the Grand Pier's history was lost in the Pavilion fire and we would like replace as much as we can. If you have any pictures, stories or memorabilia regarding the Grand Pier, old or new we would be extremely grateful if you could get in touch. Please call or email us via the contact page.