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The West Pier, Brighton
Situated at the southern end of Regency Square the West Pier is one of only two Grade 1 listed piers in the UK, the other is at Clevedon. Now a sad old lady of the sea after years of being allowed to fall into disrepair and pounding by the elements it is planned to restore it to its former splendour at a cost in excess of £30 million. When first opened in 1866 it had cost £28,000 to build.
Designed by Eugenius Birch, the pier was originally built as a simple promenade but later acquired a bandstand, then a theatre, and later still a sumptuous 1,400-seat concert hall. When built local residents complained that the pier spoiled their views of the sea.
In its 1920s heyday the pier had its own resident orchestra (Elgar had conducted it). The theatre presented plays, pantomimes and ballets all year round.
The addition of new landing stages in 1894 made it possible for steamboats to use the pier as a terminus for travel to France, the Isle of Wight, Bournemouth, Weymouth and Dover.
In the Edwardian era novelties and shows took place on the end of the pier - a manacled strongman used to dive into the sea on a bicycle, his clothes aflame - these were stopped when a crowd of hundreds of onlookers saw him drown one day.
Blue Pier
The West Pier as probably never seen before...
On October 8th 2002, to mark the start of the Paramount Brighton Comedy Festival, the pier was illuminated with a variety of flood and search lights giving this ethereal vision of the grand old lady of the sea.