Burnham-On-Sea’s Pavilion is be given £100,000 of improvements in its centenary year.
The owners of the seafront landmark – which is famous for being the UK’s shortest pier – plan to mark the 100th anniversary by installing a new 35ft retractable roof over its forecourt plus new lighting and also holding several events.
Pier Manager Louise Parkin, pictured, told Burnham-On-Sea.com it will be an “exciting year” ahead.
“We are intending to remove our existing conservatory and replace it with a high-tech retractable roof covering the whole of the forecourt. When closed, it will blend in perfectly with the existing building.”
“There will be two roofs, measuring around 35ft by 15ft, which will retract into our current dome. It will make a huge difference and will allow more rides and seating to be introduced on our forecourt which will be protected from bad weather.”
“Burnham desperately needs more wet weather attractions. This change will mean we can have a longer season, potentially resulting in extra staff being required. It will also increase the overall longevity of the Pavilion.”
Another of the changes will be the introduction of new lighting to replace the existing flashing bulbs on the building. Louise explained: “The Pavilion has a very iconic roof and we want to protect and enhance that by outlining the shape with white lighting.”
“We’re talking with several lighting specialists at the moment because we don’t want the new look to be gaudy or ugly. It needs to be elegant – we definitely don’t want a Blackpool look.”
The Pavilion aims to submit its planning application to Sedgemoor District Council over the next few days.
“We’d like to get approval in February and then install the new system in the Spring ready for Easter and the start of the new holiday season,” added Louise.
The pier will be holding a celebratory event in June involving several local Brownie packs which are also marking their centenaries this year.
Louise added that she is also hoping that local pensioners in the Burnham area who are celebrating their 100th birthdays this year will get involved.
From Easter until September, the Pavilion will also be holding a weekly £100 raffle for coach drivers to encourage more coaches into the town.
“I’m a big supporter of Project Coach and hope the raffle will encourage even more drivers to visit our town, giving the whole economy a boost,” she said.
