Bournemouth Pier repairs delayed as council seeks contractor
Work on pier expected to begin in autumn 2026
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council is still seeking a contractor to take on repair works for Bournemouth Pier, despite plans still being expected to start later this year.
The council received £20 million from the government's Levelling Up Fund in March 2023, with £9.6 million allocated for the restoration of Bournemouth Pier.
These repair works aim to extend the pier's life by 25 years by carrying out concrete repairs, installing an impressed current cathodic protection system to prevent corrosion, and removing timber landing stages.
Originally planned for winter 2024, the start date was pushed to late 2025 or early 2026.
The latest update from March 2026 indicates that the work is now expected to commence in autumn 2026 and be completed within 18 months.
Councillor Richard Herrett, BCP Council cabinet member for destination, leisure and commercial operations, said in March 2026, “Our initial tender for the works to restore Bournemouth Pier closed at the end of September 2025, with no suitable bids received.”
Herrett added that feedback from the initial tender has informed the revised tender, which will be advertised shortly.
Although the council is yet to secure a suitable contractor, it expects the pier work to start in autumn 2026.
Despite delays, the project funding remains intact with the Levelling Up Fund still supporting this initiative.
Additionally, part of the Levelling Up Fund will be used for stabilisation work on the East Cliff to prevent landslips.
These works are anticipated to start in September 2026, pending planning application approval, and may take up to eight months to complete.