Central Pier, Morecambe facts for kids
Pavilions at the entrance of the pier, c1900
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| Carries | Pedestrians |
|---|---|
| Locale | Morecambe |
| Total length | 912 feet (278 m) |
| Opening date | 1869 |
| Destruction date | 1987 |
| Coordinates | 54°04′30″N 2°51′58″W / 54.0750°N 2.8662°W |
Central Pier was a famous pier located in Morecambe, Lancashire, England. It was one of two piers in the town. Built in the late 1860s, it stretched about 912 feet (278 m) into the sea. The pier had a large area at its end where steamboats could dock. Sadly, the pier faced two big fires during its history. One fire in 1933 destroyed a beautiful building known as the "Taj Mahal of the North." Another fire in 1991 made the pier unsafe, and it was taken down in 1992.
Contents
What the Pier Looked Like
When you entered Central Pier, you would find an arcade. This was a place with games and shops. On both sides of the arcade, there were covered walkways. These led to a main covered path in the middle of the pier.
At the very end of the pier, there was a large area called the pier head. Here, you could find a ballroom for dancing. There was also a small theatre for shows. Later, a skating rink was added. The pier was made wider at the end to create a T-shape. This allowed for more space for these fun activities. The main walking path was about 13.1 metres (43 ft) wide. It was made of strong timber boards.
The Pier's Story Through Time
Building and Early Days
The idea for Central Pier came about in 1867. Construction began the next year. The pier officially opened on March 25, 1869. It cost about £10,000 to build back then. The pier was originally 912 feet (278 m) long. In the early 1870s, it was made even bigger. It was also made stronger in 1896.
Around 1897, a large building called a pavilion was built on the pier. This pavilion was a popular spot. Steamers, which are boats powered by steam, used to visit the pier until 1914.
The "Taj Mahal of the North"
After a new pier, the West End Pier, opened, this older pier was renamed Central Pier. In July 1898, Central Pier opened its own grand pavilion. This new building was very impressive. It could hold 3,000 people, which was much more than the West End Pier's pavilion. People started calling this beautiful building the "Taj Mahal of the North."
However, on July 31, 1933, a fire broke out. It was early evening, and the pier was mostly empty. But within 30 minutes, the fire spread to the pavilion. The wind even blew sparks onto nearby buildings on the promenade, setting some of them on fire. The "Taj Mahal of the North" was completely destroyed.
After the fire, a new ballroom was built in the mid-1930s. This new ballroom could seat 2,000 people. It was built in a simpler, art deco style.
Why the Pier Closed
Central Pier faced more problems later on. In Easter of 1986, part of the pier's wooden deck collapsed into the sea. This forced the pier to close down. Then, on February 4, 1987, another fire damaged the amusement arcade.
Because of these issues, the pier was declared unsafe in 1987. Sadly, on March 31, 1991, yet another fire destroyed the new pavilion and ballroom. After this, the local council decided the pier was too dangerous. Demolition began in March 1992, and Central Pier was taken down for good.
