This is how Burnham-On-Sea’s pier will look later this year after a £100,000 overhaul of the landmark.
Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported here yesterday that the owners of the seafront landmark – which is famous for being the UK’s shortest pier – intend to mark its 100th anniversary by installing a 35ft retractable roof over its forecourt plus new lighting. The new roof itself will cost £60,000 alongside £40,000 of other improvements.
Pavilion Manager Louise Parkin said a formal planning application for the scheme was submitted to Sedgemoor District Council on Monday (January 13th).
“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,” she told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
“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.”
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 it 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.”
“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 also 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.
