Charming 164-year-old English pier is finally getting a £550,000 makeover next month
A CHARMING English pier is finally getting a £550,000 upgrade next month.
The Grade ll-listed Victorian structure was forced to close two years ago after it was damaged during a heavy storm.
Worthing Borough Council has said work will start in August on new foundations for the town’s pier.
It comes after the original £930,000 cost estimate was reportedly revised to £550,000.
A storm damaged the pier in October 2024 but it reopened two months later with a temporary steel support in place.
Council bosses have said the pier, which was built in 1862, will continue to remain open while the work is undertaken.
It is expected to be fully refurbished by the end of 2026.
In a statement, the council said the works “will give the pier new foundations to allow it to stand against the elements without the need for the steel support structure”.
Routine maintenance will take place on the underside of the pier during the structural works, according to the local authority.
Officials said the cost reduction to the project was due to contractors no longer requiring the removal and refitting of the pier’s timber deck.
Worthing Borough Council leader Caroline Baxter said: “Our pier is one of Worthing’s best-loved landmarks and a huge part of our coastal heritage.
“Looking after it isn’t just about maintaining a structure – it’s about protecting a place that means so much to local people and continues to attract visitors from across the country.”