Grand Pier Latest News
Couple visit Grand Pier every day for 10 years
11th August 2008
A retired couple have been eating their meals on the Grand Pier for the past 10 years and only miss out when it's time for the spring clean.
Bristolians Ermis and Androniki Nicholas, better known as Ian and Nicky to their friends, bus down to Weston every day to tuck into fish and chips, sausages, curry, ice-cream or hotdogs.
They only missed out on visiting the historic landmark during the three days it was closed, after fire totally destroyed the pavilion on July 28.
Despite their fast food diet, Ian thanks his walk down the beach and back for helping him to lose seven stones.
Ian, aged 71, has been married to 64-year-old Nicky for 45 years, and says they will still be heading down to the pier, despite the lack of pavilion.
Ian, a former restaurant owner, said: "We come here for breakfast, lunch and ice-cream and always enjoy ourselves.
"It is almost like having a disease, we are addicted to coming here.
"We like Weston but the pier is our favourite part as it is away from all the traffic and noise.
"I always take my hour's walk down the beach every day. I used to weigh 18-and-a-half stone but I've managed to lose seven stone now.
"The people who work here are very nice and very hospitable and the view is very pleasant. It is a lot safer here than in some parts of Bristol."
His wife Nicky, who lives with Ian in Church Road, St George, said: "We come down every day and the only time I miss it is when I have to do my spring cleaning.
"We chat to all the pensioners who come down on the bus. All our friends were very sad when we heard about the fire.
"I cried when I heard the news and Ian was crying inside as well.
"We never have a dull moment, there is always something to see. We eat lots of different things, not just fish and chips. We have toast, teacakes, sausages, cottage pie and chicken curry.
"I think we have worked our way through the menu several times."
The couple has three grown up children, Nicholas, aged 43, Helen, aged 33 and 39-year-old Georgina, and remember family visits to the Grand Pier when they were young.
Ian said: "We are looking forward to the new pier I just hope I get to see it before I die.
Return to previous...
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.