Yesterday work began on dismantling the Rock Shop which has become unstable. Below is the press statement
The West Pier Trust wishes to announce that an important original part of the pier, the Rock Shop, will be dismantled over the next few weeks. Situated on the root end of the pier, the Rock Shop was closed three years ago when it became structurally unstable. Its condition has continued to deteriorate and so the Trust and its partners, Marks Barfield Architects, designers of the i360, have decided it is time carefully to dismantle it and put it into safe storage.
Since the restoration of this building is part of the i360 scheme, Marks Barfield are bearing the cost of the work. In due course it will be restored and reinstated, along with a replica of its sister kiosk on the west side of the pier’s root end, as one of the heritage elements of the i360. In fact it will be reopened as a toll booth which was its purpose when the pier opened originally in 1866.
The dismantling work will be carried out by Dorton Group and overseen by the Trust’s consultant engineers, Hemsley Orrell Partnership.
As part of the work, the pier’s root end will also be improved. The two 1990s kiosks which are no longer used will be removed, the hoarding realigned and the Heras fencing replaced. Popular views of the pier will not be obstructed but, we hope, improved.
No firm timetable has been announced for the i360 development but architects and designers of the scheme, Marks Barfield are continuing to seek the final balance of funding. Once all the financial backing is in place work will start within weeks.
Please call Trust Chief Executive, Rachel Clark for further information 01273 321499 rachel@westpier.co.uk
