Grand Pier Latest

1 October 2008 - new Grand Pier designs revealed

Six shortlisted designs for the new Grand Pier pavilion in Weston-super-Mare have been revealed by the owners, Kerry and Michelle Michael.

You can find out more about the designs and see them for yourself here:

Weston and Worle News - http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/westonsupermare/news/Designs-new-pier-unveiled/article-363839-detail/article.html

Weston and Somerset Mercury - http://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/content/twm/flatfiles/westongrandpier/designs.aspx

Stride Treglown design for the Grand Pier

8.30am 28 July 2008

Tourists are still flocking to Weston despite the tragic Grand Pier fire

Mike Bell writes - "I have just come from the seafront to witness the tragic scenes on the Grand Pier. As someone born in Weston and living just a few hundred yards from the seafront, it is like losing a close family friend.

"Coming so soon after the Michael family acquired the pier and invested so much in improvements, this is a terrible blow to Weston.

"The Grand Pier has symbolised Weston for 100 years. It has been our flagship, our best asset, our proudest achievement. It must be so again."

30 July 2008 - landward end to re-open

The Grand Pier's landward end is almost certain to be re-opened by the weekend.

A statement issued by North Somerset Council, Avon and Somerset Police and Avon Fire and Rescue Service, said work will begin to establish the cause of the fire when the structure has been deemed safe.

It has also been announced that the Red Arrows display on August 27 will go ahead, supported by the Michael family.

The exclusion zone around the structure is due to be re-opened in the next 24-48 hours.

Work is continuing at the site and the beach has now been cleaned of all debris.

4 August 2008 - Thousands flock to the Pier

Thousands of people visited Weston Grand Pier this weekend as the owners proved it was back to business just days after it was engulfed by fire.

On Saturday there were more than 15,500 people treading the boards to have an ice cream and look at the metal wreckage of the pavilion.

The visitor numbers were almost as high as when the iconic structure was filled with amusements and rides to entertain the crowds.

Staff at the pier showed that it was business as usual as tourists tried out some of the remaining games, such as Water Wars - the popular water balloon fight.

For all the latest news and developments about the Grand Pier fire and efforts to get the pier rebuilt and restored, follow the links below.

Local newspapers

Weston and Somerset Mercury.

Weston and Worle News.

Evening Post.

Western Daily Press.

Other local sites

The Grand Pier.

North Somerset Council.

Weston-super-Mare Town Council.