Works to restore Bournemouth Pier delayed until early 2028
It's because no suitable contractors have been found to carry out the repairs
Last updated 8 hours ago
Works to restore Bournemouth Pier costing nearly £10million are now not expected to be completed until early 2028 because no suitable contractors have been found to carry out the repairs.
In March 2023, BCP Council was granted £19.9million by the government as part of the Levelling Up Fund (LUF). Almost half of this funding, £9.6million, has been allocated for repairing and restoring Bournemouth Pier.
The restoration work will include undertaking concrete repairs, installing impressed current cathodic protection system to prevent corrosion, and removal of timber landing stages.
Once completed the work is expected to give the pier an additional 25-year lifespan.
It has previously been reported that the projects proposed as part of this funding must be completed by March 2025.
Works were initially due to begin in the winter of 2024, but in early 2025 the local authority said they expected the works to begin in late 2025 or early 2026.
In the latest update from the council, it is now expected that works will begin in autumn 2026 and be completed within 18 months. It is understood that this further delay does not affect the funding.
Councillor Richard Herrett, BCP Council Cabinet Member for Destination, Leisure & Commercial Operations said, “Our initial tender for the works to restore Bournemouth Pier closed at the end of September 2025, with no suitable bids received.
“As part of this process we did gain valuable feedback on the project. This has informed the revised tender which will be advertised shortly.
“Subject to tender returns, we hope to start work in the Autumn and complete within 18 months.”
Tim Wardley, Chairman of the National Piers Society, said “The National Piers Society is pleased to see the investment in Bournemouth Pier which is one of the towns primary tourist attractions. It is important that suitability of contractors is established for this specialised type of Civil Engineering even if this does incur delays to the project.
“The importance of the pier remaining open throughout the work, allowing businesses to continue their livelihood is also vital, and major rebuilding of pier substructure has been successfully undertaken with minimal disruption to business at other piers. We hope the same will happen for Bournemouth.
“We look forward to the rebuild commencing after the main summer season and enjoying the results of this ambitious engineering project, namely a pier for the 21st century with a long and resilient design life ensuring its place as a major tourist attraction and driver of inward investment to Bournemouth.”