Grand Pier Latest News
A Royal Visit
08th December 2008
Princess Anne visited the Grand Pier to see plans to build a new pavilion after the devastating fire in July.
Children and local dignitaries gathered at the entrance to the pier to welcome the Princess Royal.
She met owners Kerry and Michelle Michael and heard about their ambitious plans for the new pavilion.
They showed her a film of the fire and played a virtual tour CD of what the new pier will look like when it is finished.
The Princess didn’t go to the end of the pier but told Kerry and Michelle she had requested her helicopter fly over the site so she could get a bird’s eye view of the damage.
She also spoke to representatives from Angus Meek, the architects involved in the new pavilion. Plans have now been submitted to North Somerset Council and a decision is expected in March 2009.
Kerry Michael said: “It’s been a year of mixed emotions for everyone involved in the pier, so today has provided a very welcome celebration, and an opportunity for us all to look forward to a brighter future for both the pier and Weston.
“We were delighted to see the princess come to the pier and she was very interested to hear our new plans and was interested in every aspect of it.
“I think it was a big lift for everyone to have the princess come to the pier and it has given us the momentum to carry on and get the pier re-built as soon as possible – I can’t wait”.
Michelle Michael said the princess asked her about how the fire spread through the pavilion.
“She was interested to see what had happened with the fire and why it took hold so quickly” she said.
Kerry and Michelle’s three-year-old niece Athina Carpenter presented the princess with a posy, and Sue Waller, the pier’s retail manager gave her a hamper of fudge.
The princess also stopped to speak to firefighters who tacked the blaze in July before collecting flowers from well-wishers.
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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.