New Brighton Pier was designed and built between 1866 and 1867. The architect was Eugenious Birch and the builder was J. E Dowson. It may have replaced an earlier wooden pier. The pier was 600 feet in length and constructed of iron piles supporting four lines of longitudinal main girders and transverse wrought iron joists which carried timber decking. It provided a saloon, a central observation tower, cafes, shelters, a floating stage and an orchestra. It was repaired and modified between 1928 and 1930 and a pavilion was erected. The pier closed in 1865 but re-opened in 1968. Around £200,000 was spent on repairs and improvements before it again closed in 1972. It was demolished in 1977 after it was deemed unsafe.

Updated 02/10/19 by A Sherman: The first wooden pier at New Brighton was opened in 1834 and was said to be anchored to the bedrock with ropes. However, ships could not dock at the pier at low tide so a new metal pier, 600ft (182m) long was designed by Eugenius Birch and opened in 1867 ('The New Brighton Promenade Pier', Illustrated London News, 7th September 1867). Remains of the rock cut foundation holes for the pier are visible on the foreshore and some contain possible pile remains. The rock-cut foundation pits have a diameter of 1.40m, with at least 22 pits visible covering an area of approximately 3,000 square meters. See Citizan Id 83639 for record of possible pier pile. See Citizan Id 83642 for possible tethering ring.

Period

Post-Medieval (1540 - 1901), Modern (1901 and later)

Period comments

repaired 1968|Possible use before 1866|demolished 1977|Built 1866-7|1928-1930 altered

The earliest date of the feature, as a year, if known

1866|1968|1977|1928

The latest date of the feature, as a year, if known

1866|1968|1977|1930

Monument Type - Broad

TOWER|BANDSTAND|PIER|SHELTER|TOILET|LANDING STAGE|BAR (LICENCED)|PLEASURE PIER|PIER PAVILION|CAFE

Monument Type - Narrow

Monument Description

Evidence Type - Broad

Destroyed monument

Evidence Type - Narrow

Evidence Description

Object Type - Broad

Object Type - Narrow

Object Description

Other records:

NRHE Number

67589

NT HBSMR Number

Unknown

HER Event Number

Unknown

External Link

None

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