What to expect from a restored Birnbeck Pier

After years of a complex and costly refurbishment, Birnbeck Pier in Weston-super-Mare is due to reopen in 2027.

The iconic pier, the only one in the UK to link the mainland to an island, opened in 1867 and was visited by millions before safety concerns led to its closure in 1994.

But from next summer, visitors will be able to walk over to Birnbeck Island for the first time in a generation.

As the ambitious restoration works now have a completion date, here's everything you need to know about what visitors can expect.

New CGI images have been released of how the pier could look. Use the cursor to scroll left and right to see how the new pier could look compared to the original structure

In its heyday, the 19th Century pier hosted funfair rides and drew crowds of visitors who stopped off in Weston-super-Mare on pleasure steamers.

But after a storm caused severe damage in 1990, Birnbeck Pier partially collapsed into the sea.

Then after years of it crumbling away, plans began to restore it to its former glory in 2006, but they have were repeatedly shelved over the years due to changes in ownership and financial concerns.

North Somerset Council - which bought the pier in 2023 - almost scrapped the restoration project in September 2025 after the RNLI, which used to be based on the pier, backed out of the plans, but in March the government provided the £19m of funding required to finish the restoration.

The council now says the pier is on track to reopen in the summer of 2027.

Firstly, next to the car park on the mainland will be the entrance to the restored Pier Master's Cottage, which will act as a visitor centre and shop.

Connected to this will be a new modern cafe building and terrace, which will offer impressive views to the pier.

The nearby Pier View building, which during its long history has been a café, tea room, dress shop, and even military offices during the Second World War, will also be restored.

Its new use is still to be decided, but one option being explored is an ice cream parlour.

As well as a new toilet block, the derelict Grade II-listed Toll House and its extension, known as the 'shell shop', will also be carefully restored and could reopen as a concession stand.

Mike Bell, leader of North Somerset Council, said: "The work we're doing to restore Birnbeck Pier and the Island is an exciting and frankly world class reinvention and re-imagining of the listed building.

"Its historic and heritage value is well recognised.

"There will be access to the island for the first time in generations, people have long wanted this but have long been frustrated."

For the first time in more than 30 years, people will be able to walk over the pier's bridge to the island, but the council has said restoration work there may not be finished when it first reopens.

Visitors will eventually be able to walk around the restored clock tower and pavilion, which the council describes as "a conserved ruin" and will have information about the building's histories.

Also on the island will be the refurbished 1888 Boathouse, which will become a cafe on the top floor and an events space below.

The restored North Jetty that juts out into the sea from the Boathouse will also allow vessels to dock at the pier.

This could include the Waverley paddle steamer, but also create opportunities for local operators offering tours or fishing trips.

Bell said: "When people will be able to walk on pier for first time, I think it will be a magical moment for the many people like me who were born in Weston and have lived here all their lives.

"People who have seen this crumbling jewel will be delighted to see it restored.

"The North Jetty will enable us to bring in passenger and other ferry services to Weston."

The future of the former RNLI lifeboat station on the other side of the pier remains uncertain.

An RNLI spokesperson said: "We remain committed to lifesaving in Weston super Mare and are continuing to work closely with our volunteers and North Somerset Council to find a suitable permanent location within the community."

While the restoration work continues ahead of the planned re-opening next summer, the council is trying to find an operator for the heritage site.

Visitors will pay entry to the pier, like most sites run by the National Trust or English Heritage, but the business model is still being worked out.

"The important thing is not just restoring it for next year but for 100 years by making it sustainable," said Bell, adding an announcement on the new operator could come early next year.

"It will be a compatible price with other heritage attractions that makes Birnbeck Pier feel like a place that is good value and is on the UK heritage must-see list," he added.

The council said it has been approached by potential events organisers already, including one who wants to host a literature festival there.

"In terms of events, the sky is the limit," Bell said, adding the restoration would attract visitors, investment and create jobs for the town.

He said the reopened pier will "breath new life to a part of sea front that has been neglected for decades" and create "a different and vibrant future for our area".

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