Eastbourne Pier facts for kids
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Eastbourne Pier on 31 July 2014, the day after a fire destroyed a third of it
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| Official name | Eastbourne Pier |
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| Type | Pleasure Pier |
| Locale | Eastbourne, East Sussex |
| Design | Eugenius Birch |
| Owner | Abid Gulzar |
| Total length | 1,000 feet (300 m) |
| Opening date | 13 June 1870 |
| Coordinates | 50°45′58″N 0°17′41″E / 50.7662°N 0.2946°E |
Eastbourne Pier is a fun seaside pier located in Eastbourne, East Sussex, on the south coast of England. It's a popular spot for visitors to enjoy the sea air and various attractions.
Contents
History of Eastbourne Pier
The idea for a pier in Eastbourne first came up in 1863. The Duke of Devonshire, a major landowner in the town, really liked the idea. The pier was planned to be 1000 feet long and cost about £12,000.
Work on the pier began on 18 April 1866. It was officially opened by Lord Edward Cavendish on 13 June 1870. However, it wasn't fully finished until two years later.
Changes and Challenges Over Time
On New Year's Day in 1877, a big storm swept away the half of the pier closest to the land. It was rebuilt even higher, which created a small dip towards the end of the pier. The pier is built on special stilts that sit in cups on the seabed. This design allows the whole structure to move a little during rough weather. The pier is about 300 metres (1000 feet) long.
In 1888, a round pavilion with 400 seats was built at the far end of the pier. This was later replaced in 1899/1901 by a larger theatre with 1000 seats, a bar, and a camera obscura. A camera obscura is a darkened room where an image of the outside world is projected onto a screen using a lens. Two more saloons (fancy rooms) were also added in the middle of the pier. The camera obscura wasn't used for many years but was fixed up in 2003.
Pier Activities and World War II
In the early 1900s, paddle steamers like the PS Brighton Queen would take people on trips from the pier. They sailed along the south coast and even across the Channel to Boulogne in France. These trips continued until the Second World War started.
During the Second World War, parts of the pier's wooden floor were removed. Machine guns were placed in the theatre to help defend against any enemy attacks. An anti-aircraft gun was also set up in the middle of the pier. In December 1942, a mine exploded near the pier, causing damage.
Modern Day Pier
Over the years, different theatres were built on the pier. After the last one was destroyed by fire in 1970, it was replaced by a nightclub and a bar, which are still there today.
On the part of the pier closest to land, you can find a fish and chip shop, an amusement arcade, and a fast food place. Further out, there's a cafe, a restaurant, a glassblower (where you can watch glass being shaped), a clothes shop, and an ice cream shop. The tower at the end of the pier is often used for great views during the yearly air show.
In 2009, the pier's special historical status was upgraded to Grade II*. This means it's a very important historic building. The pier was put up for sale in 2009. In 2015, a local hotel owner named Abid Gulzar bought the pier.
Fire on Eastbourne Pier
On 30 July 2014, a large fire broke out on the pier. It badly damaged a big part of the central domed building. Police later suspected that the fire was started on purpose.
About 80 firefighters worked hard to put out the blaze. They fought the fire all night and managed to save two-thirds of the pier. The main arcade building was the most affected. The fire did not reach the pavilion at the very end of the pier. This happened just two weeks before Eastbourne's biggest tourist event, the Airbourne airshow.
Awards for Eastbourne Pier
- 1997 – National Piers Society – Pier of the Year
Gallery
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Eastbourne Pier
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Etching from 1870
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Summer 1996
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View from the Downs
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The pier's tower with its camera obscura
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The pier on fire on 30 July 2014
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Images for kids
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Eastbourne Pier on 31 July 2014, the day after a fire destroyed a third of it
