Sadly on the 28th July Weston Pier caught fire. A huge devistating fire destroyed the pavilions at the end of the pier. 3 days later and to the credit of the owners of the pier it was business as usual for the rest of the restorts biggest attraction. Typical Weston weather mind..
One of the last piers to be built, just after the death of Queen Victoria, the Grand Pier has been described as a large elaborate structure carrying a theatre and pavilion plus kiosks and shops. The pier is over 1,000 feet (305 m) long and is in the centre of the town, close to the railway station and the main road system.
The pier was started, with P. Munroe acting as the engineer, in November 1903 and opened in June 1904. It is supported by 600 iron piles which were driven into the clay at the rate of eight to ten per day. A quarter of a mile of wooden decking was laid and the theatre 150 feet (46 m) by 90 feet (27 m) was constructed with seating for 2,000 people.
The pier was the winner of the 2001 National Piers Society Pier of the Year award, and has been designated by English Heritage as a grade II listed building.
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