Grand Pier Design Chosen

The owners of the Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare have chosen proposals put forward by Bristol-based architects Angus Meek for the rebuilding of the pier pavilion that was destroyed by fire in July.

The design includes iconic illuminated corner towers that draw their inspiration from the previous pier. Work is now going on to put together a detailed planning application to be submitted to North Somerset council before Christmas.

Pier owner Kerry Michael said: “We intend for the new pier pavilion to be opened for business in time for the summer season in 2010. For that to be possible we need to get the planning permission to the local authority before Christmas.

“We believe the opening of the new pavilion at Weston-super-Mare will be the biggest boost to a British seaside resort in 99 years. Blackpool strung garlands of lights across its seafront in 1912 and changed the face of the British seaside and we believe this design can boost Weston by lengthening the season.

“One of the attractions of the Angus Meek design was the way that it can be illuminated at dusk and in the evening so that the pier can be a centre-piece of the sea front during dull Autumn afternoons and winter days – bringing vitality and excitement to the town.

“We intend for the new pavilion to be an all-year round facility. It will be primarily an amusement park with all the fun that people expect from a traditional pier but in a high quality 21st century building and we believe this is what Angus Meek has provided us with.

“Although there was support for all of the designs the Angus Meek proposal was selected as favourite by 59% of the public that expressed a preference. We have now looked at the practicalities and believe it is a design that works on a practical level.”

Now the space within the new pavilion is known co-owners Kerry and Michelle Michael are also stepping up their search for exciting leisure attractions to put on the pier, which is visited by 3.5 million holiday-makers and day trippers every year.

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Design Winner

Angus Meek Proposal

The design for the new pavilion has drawn inspiration from a wide range of sources which reflect the excitement of seaside entertainment, forms which relate to a marine location and the attractions of time spent for pleasure.The traditional pier usually comprises a balanced, composed pavilion often with corner towers - the ‘iconic’ image of a pier.

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Photography By Official Grand Pier Photographer