Grand Pier in Weston Super Mare was destroyed by fire in July 2008 and has been rebuilt by John Sisk & Son.
The challenges of constructing a high quality leisure venue on top of a fire damaged Edwardian substructure, 300 metres offshore in difficult weather conditions called for the very best engineering and programme management skills – which Sisk supplies.
Access to the pier pavilion was restricted by weight limits on the pier waist and so Sisk used cranes mounted on ‘jack up’ barges to place steelworks and other construction materials.
The works included the placement of an innovative composite steel level deck over the pavilion and pier head footprint – saving weight and build time when compared with a conventional concrete deck.
There is also a new covered glazed walkway along the waist of the pier topped with a wave form GRP canopy affording covered access for visitors to the new pavilion.
The new two and three storey steel framed pavilion superstructure is supported on new tubular piles that supplement the existing Edwardian pier structure. The pavilion houses brand new and exciting attractions as well as some old favourites and is a venue for weddings and special events as diverse as pop concerts, boxing matches and the finals of the Miss Great Britain contest.
The success of the project was recognised by the National Piers Society who presented the owners with a special award “in recognition of the Outstanding Achievement in restoring the Grand Pier.”
