Worries over future of pier that loses £300k a year
Fears have been raised over the future of South Parade Pier after it emerged the owners are losing thousands of pounds every year.
Seafront manager David Evans said Six Piers Ltd is making an annual loss of around 300,000 on the 131-year-old seafront attraction.
And the firm is reluctant to sink any more cash into improvements with no return.
'The problem is they do not want to invest until they know they won't lose more money,' Mr Evans said.
'We know they have spent a lot of money already on the structural work but it is still losing a substantial amount, which is a big concern.'
Mr Evans regularly meets pier managers to discuss its future, but so far he has been given no guarantee that any investment will be made.
City leaders have today urged owners to bring the pier up to scratch or sell it off in a bid to secure its future.
It comes almost two years after a series of crisis meetings were called to try to galvanise the owners into action.
Mr Evans added: 'It could be something really special - it is a great potential venue - but I think they have lost their way a bit.'
Six Piers Ltd says it has invested more than 2m since it took the pier on in 1999. The firm has carried out vital structural work and revamped the Albert Tavern and Gaiety Bar.
But council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson said: 'They might have painted the bar, but there is no imagination and it could be so, so much better. It is a wasted opportunity.
'It needs somebody to come along and see the opportunity and really take it on - which the current owners do not.
'But there is nothing the city council can do unless it is totally dilapidated as it is private property.'
No-one from Six Piers Ltd was available to speak to The News.
However a statement from the firm said: 'The pier has undoubtedly been affected by the change in the coastal offering in the area and the development of Gunwharf Quays.
'The site is one of six in the group's portfolio of piers and all present very unique challenges. We are continuing to look at ways to improve the offering.'
The statement added: 'We do have a commitment to the pier and appreciate that people may not always see the investment that has been made. From time to time we have had unsolicited approaches from third parties keen to buy the pier but to date nothing that would benefit the pier or the area has been presented.'
OTHER PIERS
Although the heyday of piers has passed several across the country are still thriving.
Brighton's Palace Pier was taken over by The Noble Organisation in 1984, and now crowds flock to the range of funfair rides, stalls, arcades, bars and restaurant.
Blackpool's three successful piers are run by Six Piers Ltd - the firm which owns Southsea's pier.
Each one has different attractions to offer, from theatres, shows and fairground rides to restaurants, shops, arcades and bars.
The traditional North Pier won Pier of the Year in 2004, and has a Victorian Carousel, tea rooms and swing nights. Meanwhile the Central Pier is packed full of typical British seaside fun while South Pier is more modern with adrenaline rides including a bungee tower.
Weston-Super-Mare's Grand Pier was destroyed by fire in 2008, but due to its popularity is currently being re-built.
However only around half of the piers that existed in the early 1900s are still around today.
Hastings Pier closed in June 2006 because of its unsafe structure, and residents are now fighting to save it from demolition.
The Isle of Wight's Shanklin Pier was pulled down in 1993 after storm damage, and North Wales' Colwyn Bay pier is currently facing demolition.
IT'S SURVIVED THREE FIRES AND WAR
The first South Parade Pier was designed by Blackburn engineer R Gale for passengers travelling to and from the Isle of Wight.
It took three years to build the 1,950ft pier, which opened in November 1879.
Just a few years later in 1904, a serious fire ripped through the structure so the pier had to be completely rebuilt.
The new South Parade Pier was taken over by the Portsmouth Corporationand opened in 1908 –this time just 600ft long.
The new pier was a pleasure pier rather than a practical landing jetty, and it was built from concrete, instead of timber which was more usual at that time.
The new pier had wind-screens on all sides, with a large pavilion at the front which housed a 1,200-seat theatre, which became known for high quality performers, and a cafe and popular evening dance venue.
The pier survived the bombing of the Second World War, but in 1967 a fire severely damaged the theatre and it was removed.
Another, more serious, fire happened in 1974 during the filming of the rock-opera Tommy. It is thought it started when a spotlight set light to some drapes, but it soon spread out of control.
After the blaze the pavilion was rebuilt at a cost of 500,000.
In 1999 it was bought by its current owners, Six Piers Ltd, a Lancashire-based leisure company responsible for the piers in Eastbourne, Llandudno, Southsea and the three piers in Blackpool.
>> Vote in our latest web poll.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Portsmouth
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South
