Weston-super-Mare's Grand Pier to be rebuilt after fire
Weston-super-Mare's Grand Pier to be rebuilt after fire
The pier at Weston-super-Mare will be rebuilt after it was destroyed by a fire yesterday. The 104-year old, "iconic" Grand Pier was one of Weston-super-Mare's leading tourist attractions.
The owners of the Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare,
Somerset, last night vowed to rebuild the structure, reports The Times. More than 80 firefighters tackled the blaze, which reduced the
Grand Pier to a "tangle of twisted steel girders" in just 90 minutes.
Kerry Michael who bought the pier earlier this year with his sister Michelle said: "We will work tirelessly to restore this magnificent structure to its former glory." The Michaels bought the Grand Pier in February for £10m and described themselves as custodians rather than owners of the structure.
Under new ownership, the Grand Pier had been refurbished at a cost of over £1m, which included a new go-kart track. This, along with the traditional funfair, was destroyed by the fire. Andrew Horler, the town's mayor, said: "This is a real blow for Weston. It's an iconic, beautiful building. The Grand Pier represents Weston."
It is thought that the fire started in a deep-fat fryer in the pier's staff canteen. The Grand Pier is a
Grade II listed building and until the fire was one of only 55 pleasure piers left in
England.
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29 July 2008
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