Blackpool’s Big Pier Watch Day announced

Roll up! Roll Up!  Blackpool Council in partnership with the Blackpool Pier Company and World Monuments Fund is pleased to announce the first Big Pier Watch Day at North Pier on Saturday June 9^th. Doors open at 11am and the day will include lots of fun activities and entertainment for families and the best part is that it’s all free!

The day will include music, and entertainment including swing band The Billionaires, live Punch and Judy shows and a traditional barrel organ.  The Carousel, Jets and Helter-Skelter rides will be completely free for kids (who must be accompanied by an adult) and there will be a free coconut shy with seaside prizes along with face painting and craft activity!  For the pier buffs there will be an exhibition celebrating 200 years since the birth of Eugenius Birch, the designer of North Pier and many other early piers around the country.

Leader of Blackpool Council, Cllr Simon Blackburn, said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for local families to enjoy some time out on Blackpool’s oldest pier.  We’ve been working with the Blackpool Pier Company and World Monuments Fund to make sure that we bring as many people together as possible to enjoy what promises to be a brilliant day.  On a more serious note though, our piers are at risk from increased storm surges and the mounting cost of repair is putting owners across the UK under huge financial pressure, hopefully what we do here in Blackpool will lead to greater awareness of the challenges and maybe even some changes to how we manage them. ”

Blackpool’s Piers were included on the 2018 World Monuments Watch in October of 2017 in recognition of the challenges they face from climate change. The biennial campaign provides local people, activists, and experts around the world with an opportunity to initiate a grassroots call-to-action for the places they want to protect.  Watch Day is a component of the program that aims to connect communities to their built heritage through public events. Support from World Monuments Fund and Blackpool Council will ensure as many people as possible can take part in the Watch Day activities.

Peter Sedgwick of the Blackpool Pier Company said: “We’re really grateful to the Council and the World Monuments Fund for working with us on this.  We hope that the open day will help people understand the challenges we face as owners into the future and how we’re working to improve North Pier.  It’s easy to forget that the bulk of our repair money has to go into the structure itself, so a bad season will limit what we can do in terms of restoration or decorative repair. We can’t change the weather, but with help, we can be more prepared for what it brings.”

“The community that has passionately rallied around the Blackpool Piers is a perfect example of what the World Monuments Watch is all about,” said Joshua David, President and CEO, World Monuments Fund. “These beloved and historic piers are facing a dangerous and increasingly urgent threat. By expanding dialogue, exploring conservation solutions, and celebrating these great piers, Blackpool can serve as model for sites facing similar issues around the world.”