South Pier, Lowestoft

South Pier is a leisure pier in Lowestoft, Suffolk, engineered by William Cubitt and opened in 1846 at a length of 1,320 feet (400 m).[1] The pavilion was used by the Royal Naval Patrol Service as a headquarters during World War I, although it suffered significant damage during World War II and was subsequently demolished.

South Pier
TypePleasure
CarriesPedestrians
LocaleLowestoft
OwnerOulton Broad Leisure Ltd
Characteristics
Total length1,320 feet (400 m)[1]
History
DesignerWilliam Cubitt
Opening date1864 (1864)
Coordinates52.4715°N 1.7544°E / 52.4715; 1.7544

History

19th century

The pier opened in 1846 and was built in association with harbour works.[2] Around June 1850, the esplanade around the pier was completed, described as being "one of the finest and most extensive promenades on the coast, combined with marine views of the greatest variety and beauty".[3] In 1854, a reading room was built and 30 years later, a jetty was constructed, although both were destroyed during a fire in 1885 and rebuilt around 1890. The pier was strengthened in 1928 with concrete.[1]

20th century

During World War I, the pavilion was used a headquarters for the Royal Naval Patrol Service's commanding officer.[4] By the 1930s, the resort was at its height and the pier was among its major attractions.[5]

The replacement reading room and pavilion was heavily damaged during World War II and were subsequently demolished. On 2 May 1956, the Duke of Edinburgh opened a new pavilion. Around this time, the pier also had a miniature railway. In 1975, a new shoreward leisure centre building was erected, at a cost of £220,000 (equivalent to £1,599,500 in 2019) while improvements to the pavilion were also made.[1]

Plans to incorporate the pier into a new marina were announced towards the late 1980s, following a report of structural issues that resulted in the closure of the seaward end. Despite the pavilion being demolished around 1989, no developments had occurred by June 1990. Following a £30,000 (equivalent to £49,500 in 2019) refurbishment by the council, the entire pier reopened in June 1993.[1]

21st century

Major refurbishments were undertaken during 2008.[1] The pier was closed in 2013 by its then-owner, Associated British Ports, due to public safety fears. Anglers, who would frequently visit the pier, called for access to be restored and were supported by national organisation the Angling Trust. The pier had been leased for 20 years by Waveney District Council, who explained that financial restraints, in particular maintenance and public liability costs, prevented them from renewing the lease.[6]

Having subsequently reopened in 2015 with the help of businessman Danny Steel and Waveney MP Peter Aldous, the pier received a £1000 donation from the Post Office in 2019 to help secure its future for the following year.[7]

In July 2021, it was announced that a sponsorship deal with CityFibre lasting for 12 months would help financially secure the future of the pier.[8]

References

Citations

  1. "Lowestoft South Pier History". National Piers Society. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  2. Brandon 2012, p. 68.
  3. "The South Pier and Esplanade now completed". Cambridge General Advertiser. 8 June 1850. p. 4. (preview) – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. Rouse 2011, p. 84.
  5. Rouse 2011, p. 82.
  6. Kathryn Bradley (30 October 2013). "Anger as Lowestoft's South Pier is closed". Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  7. James Carr (20 February 2019). "'It secures the pier for another year': Joy as landmark receives funding boost". Lowestoft Journal. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  8. Mark Boggis (22 July 2021). "Joy as CityFibre backs Lowestoft landmark with sponsorship deal". Lowestoft Journal. Retrieved 6 August 2021.

Sources

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