UK seaside town’s oldest pier sold, £10m restoration to return it to glory | UK | News

One of Britain’s oldest and most iconic piers has been sold as new owners vowed to transform and restore the 1,410ft waterfront structure with an investment of £10 million. Last August, the Daily Express reported that Blackpool’s 162-year-old North Pier, which opened in 1863 and is one of the seaside town’s three famous piers, was up for sale.

It was put up for sale last summer by the Sedgwick family, which owns the Middle and South piers, the town’s other two piers, which opened in 1868 and 1893, respectively. Now II. The grade-listed Victorian structure was purchased by Okken Limited, a London-listed company.

Ökken said that the pier will be renewed, the theater will be improved, and new media, event areas and a bar will be created at the entrance.

The North Pier, which predates the resort’s tower by 31 years, was built with a wooden deck atop a substructure of cast-iron beams.

It currently employs 10 full-time, three part-time and approximately 40 seasonal staff.

There is also the Joe Longthorne Theatre, an entertainment centre, a two-tiered Victorian carousel, an electric train and a range of cafes, takeaways and bars.

Okken said the plans were aimed at securing the pier’s long-term future as one of Blackpool’s leading attractions. The current management team will remain the same and all events and entertainment will continue as normal this year.

Okken’s Paul Cooper said the aim was to “restore the pier and bring it back to its best” and add new experiences.

He added: “The North Pier is a piece of living history and it is a privilege to care for it. Our commitment is simple: to invest, restore and bring this wonderful pier back to its best.”

Okken said that other stages of the investment are expected to be announced in the coming months.