Weston-Super-Mare Pier to rise from ashes
A SHORTLIST of redevelopment plans for an historic pier were revealed today, eight weeks after the landmark was destroyed by fire.
Six architect firms have entered designs into a competition to win the contract to shape the future look of the Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare.
The 104-year-old pier , a favourite with visiting Brummie families for generations, took just 90 minutes to become a blackened shell when a fierece blaze broke out in July.
The final six designs were submitted by four Bristol-based architects, Stride Treglown, Acanthus Ferguson Mann, Angus Meek and AWW, and two firms from London, Grimshaw and Ray Hole.
The pier’s owners, brother and sister Kerry and Michelle Michael, will choose a winning design with a team of stakeholders, including local authorities and English Heritage.
Mr Michael said: “They have all put a tremendous amount of work into these designs and we now have to look at the details before making a decision on the way forward.
“We set out a brief for the architects and this is their interpretation.
“Our view has always been that we want an up-to-date building that is an exciting leisure attraction that also reflects the tradition of being the centrepiece of a Victorian seafront.
“Now we must look at the costings of how much the designs will require to be built and how much will have to be spent on running costs and maintenance in the future, what attractions can fit into and alongside the designs and also take into account the views of people who visit the pier.”
All six designs were going on display in the H20 bar in Weston-super-Mare’s Winter Gardens from today until Monday, October 6.
