The history of Blackpool’s North Pier is likely to be fairly familiar to many residents of the town. North Pier (or Blackpool Pier as it was known at the time) opened to the public in 1863. It was originally designed for ‘promenade’ only and was built to cater to the higher classes, unlike the other two piers, Central Pier and South Pier (originally Victoria Pier), which predominantly attracted the working classes.
North Pier is a Grade II listed building and is popularly known for its architectural heritage status however it is set to undergo a survey to determine its structural stability and safety. Blackpool Council, along with the owners of North Pier, have agreed to go ahead with the survey to assess the Pier’s longevity, looking at the cast iron structure below the wooden deck to inspect the harder to reach areas of the Pier’s ‘legs’ which have been damaged by storms over the past eighteen months.
The current owner of North Pier is Peter Sedgewick, of Northern Victorian Pier Ltd, who says of the survey: “This move by the Council is very much appreciated. It will help us understand what needs to be done over the next year or so and will help us with planned maintenance in the longer term.”
North Pier is an iconic structure which is situated on the north promenade, protruding into the Irish Sea and providing exhilarating experiences in all seasons for many visitors.
Blackpool’s North Pier was created by Eugenius Birch and is the oldest standing survivor of its type. Its total length is 500 metres (1,650 feet) and it is a real pleasure to stroll down its length, taking in the panoramic view which stretches from Barrow and The Lake District in the north to Southport, Liverpool and the Welsh hills on a clear day.
The North Pier had a refurbishment of the decking and seating area in 2013 but due to storms at the end of the year the pier is still in repair. The weather, unfortunately, does wreak havoc with many buildings on the promenade and Peter Sedgewick says:“We love this pier but like many other coastal businesses we are constantly at the mercy of the weather.”
Councillor Christine Wright, cabinet member for culture and heritage, said: “The Pier is one of our most important seaside structures. We’re the only town to have three and we have been looking at ways in which we can highlight the role of our piers in the history of the resort.” Because the Council is responsible for the heritage of the pier, it is therefore interested in its future and will be drafting in companies from further afield who specialise in restoration.
The fascinating and fantastic structure of North Pier was set into place using the screw pile system. The 12 inch (300mm) diameter girders have stood up to over one hundred years of battering by the Irish Sea. It is an amazing piece of Victorian engineering.
Images by Jill Reidy of Two Old Birds with Cameras Photography.
