Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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'End-of-pier' review results in an upgrade for Eastbourne
The pier in Eastbourne had its listing upgraded today by Culture Minister Barbara Follett, from Grade II to Grade II*, following a review by English Heritage.
The pier, one of the best in the country, was originally listed at Grade II in 1971, having had an interesting history, full of changing fortunes. The pier, one of the best in the country, was originally listed at Grade II in 1971, having had an interesting history, full of changing fortunes. Today's listing upgrade could assist with the piers' owners plans for renovations. These might include repairs to the theatre as well as new attractions, with possibilities including a monorail and conservatory housing a casino or restaurant.
Barbara Follett said:
"Piers are a uniquely interesting solution to the enjoyment of the seaside in Britain's uncertain weather. That is why I am so pleased to hear that one of the country's best piers has had its listed status upgraded. Eastbourne Pier, which was designed and built by talented Victorian engineer, Eugenius Birch, and has long been a focus for this lovely seaside town. I hope that recognising its particular importance in this fashion will help to breathe new life into this Victorian masterpiece and will allow many more generations to enjoy the access that it gives to the sea."
Eugenius Birch, designer of the pier at Eastbourne, was a distinguished civil engineer who designed 14 of the best piers in the country, including Brighton West (1866), Scarborough (1869), Hastings (1872) and Bournemouth (1880).
The first pile of Eastbourne pier was secured in the seabed on 18th April, 1866 and officially opened on 13th June, 1870. However, a turbulent history followed for the pier:
* on New Year's Day, 1877, a violent storm washed away a large part of the shoreward end;
* in 1899 a large building was removed from the pier and taken to Lewes for use as a cattle shed and in 1945 the bandstand (erected in 1903) was removed;
* in 1901, a camera obscura (an early precursor of the camera) was housed in a new building on the pier. It was the largest in the country and is thought to be the only camera obscura on a pier, in the world; and
* during World War II, there was an order to blow up the pier, as it was thought the enemy could use it to enter the country. However, it was spared and gun platforms were installed in the theatre to fend off an invasion. The majority of the wooden decking was also removed to prevent this, and later replaced by concrete slabs after the war.
Attrition rates are high, and of the 100 seaside piers built by the end of the 19th century, only 55 still survive. In England there are currently two Grade I piers (Brighton West and Clevedon), three Grade II* piers (Eastbourne, Birnbeck Pier in Weston-super-Mare, and Brighton Palace Pier) and 13 Grade II piers.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Eastbourne Pier was upgraded to Grade II* as it is one of the finest surviving Eugenius Birch seaside piers. The camera obscura on Eastbourne Pier is a rare surviving example of a once popular attraction.
2. Eugenius Birch designed a total of 14 piers in England and Wales. Of his English piers, five (including Eastbourne) are listed and the other four are:
* Blackpool North (Grade II)
* Brighton West (Grade I)
*
Birnbeck Pier, Weston-super-Mare (Grade II*)
* Hastings (Grade II)
Birch also designed Margate Pier which was listed Grade II, but was destroyed by a storm in 1978. His other English piers are:
* Deal (destroyed 1940)
* Scarborough (destroyed 1869)
*
Bournemouth (extensively refurbished in 1956 and not listed)
*
Plymouth (destroyed during WWII to prevent invasion)
3. Eastbourne Pier is 1000ft long and 52ft wide, and erected on a substructure of iron screw piles. Some of the original combined iron side railings and seating still survive in the central section of the pier, and there is wooden decking, except for the central section which has concrete slabs laid after World War II.
4. The main purpose of listing a building is to ensure that care will be taken over decisions affecting its future, that any alterations respect the particular character and interest of the building, and that the case for its preservation is taken fully into account in considering the merits of any redevelopment proposals.
5. Further details of English Heritage's recommendations can be obtained from Historic Environment Designation Branch, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 2-4 Cockspur Street, London SW1Y 5DH.
Public enquiries: 020 7211 6200
http://www.culture.gov.uk
2-4 Cockspur Street
London SW1Y 5DH
http://www.culture.gov.uk
