Birnbeck Pier (locally known as the ‘Old Pier’) is a jewel asset of Weston-super-Mare with massive historical significance for the people of Weston.

Designed by the celebrated engineer Eugenius Birch and built in the 1860s, at a time when Weston was becoming a pre-eminent seaside town, it remains the only pier in the country which connects to an island.

For a hundred years it was a centre of resident and visitor attraction in Weston and for nearly 150 years the RNLI had a base there, where Weston was and remains one of the busiest RNLI lifeboat stations in the country.

But in more recent times the pier has suffered from changing fortunes, as well as neglect as it passed through the hands of several owners while also always at the mercy of the elements.  It’s perhaps a testament to the skill and ingenuity of its designer that after all the misfortunes it has endured it is still standing at all.

The pier was closed to the public in 1994 and placed on Historic England’s at-risk register in 1999. For safety reasons the RNLI were similarly forced to leave in 2014, the same year the pier was acquired by the current owner CNM Estates (who also currently own the Royal Pier Hotel site).

Mounting concern about the pier’s deterioration and its further neglect by the current owner, resulted in North Somerset Council serving CNM Estates with a notice to repair in 2019, with the Council being subsequently authorised in 2020 to issue a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to acquire the pier. It was reported on 10th November 2021 that agreement had been reached for NSC to purchase the pier.

There is now the cherished hope that the process of restoration and regeneration can soon begin with the support and expertise  of Historic England and the much-awaited return of the RNLI to Birnbeck Island.

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