News

This wonderful picture was taken soon after the pier’s reopening post WW2. It shows the interior of the Concert Hall (the building that was closest to the beach) when it was used as a café.

Here’s a rare aerial view of the pier. The photo was probably taken in the early 1960s when funfair amusements dominated the pier, the management’s attempt to lure holiday makers who were already deserting the UK for European package holidays. it also illustrates how the Brighton skyline has changed in recent decades.

In February 2010 Tiger Beer celebrated the Chinese New Year of the Tiger by sponsoring various public art installations around the country. This included illuminating the pier for one night only. Laurent Louyet of Creatmosphere designed the laser illumination and the effect was stunning. Ever since  we’ve been searching for ways of repeating the show ... Read more

Take a look at this lovely recent photo of the pier, sent to us by Rich McKee #Brighton #piers

There was a great article in Saturday’s Guardian about the Edwards family of Fedora Punch & Judy. Glyn and Katey organise and run our education programme at the Fishing Museum http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2013/jul/27/punch-judy-family-brighton

This is how the pier looked soon after its opening in 1866. A simple promenading pier with just 6 octagonal kiosks at intervals along its length. We have one of these original kiosks dismantled and stored and hope in due course to restore it as a small visitor centre. You can also see the distinctive ... Read more

There’s a piece on page 6 of the Argus today – an original architect’s design of the pier Concert Hall is on sale on eBay http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/10566118.Original_West_Pier_design_drawing_goes_on_sale/ What a great addition to the Trust’s archive that would be!

There are still large original pier fragments available to buy – columns and lampposts mainly. You can arrange to view them at the pier by contacting us at info@westpier.co.uk . Bear in mind they’re made of cast iron and are very heavy!

This was taken in the early post WW2 period. Piers were considered an invasion risk during the war. They were closed to the public, mined and in the case of the West Pier a section was removed. It was partially reopened to the public in 1946, the  pier wasn’t fully functioning until 1948.

Martin St Martin sent us this beautiful photo taken earlier this year

Here’s a very early and unusual photo taken on the pier in the late 19th century. ‘Walking on Water’, the history of the pier by Fred Gray, contains the best selection of pier pictures https://www.westpier.co.uk/history/walking-on-water-by-fred-gray/

Did anyone see this great image in the Argus last month? Brighton based artist Ben Duarri, for the opening of the Dr Marten’s store, recreated the West Pier as a pair of DMs!