The Brighton piers. (Brighton Palace Pier)

Member Name: andycharger

Product:	Brighton Palace Pier
Date:	15/05/01 (141 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great day out, fun for the family, Free

Disadvantages: Delapidated old pier, costs a lot for renovation, Tacky to some

Brighton has been a firm family favourite seaside destination for over 150 years now.
It was once the favourite home of Queen victoria. She had the grand Pavillion renovated in the town and in 1850 sold it to the town.
A grand structure, it looked more like the Taj Mahal.
A Palace fit for a Queen.
This may be how one of Brighton's 2 piers got their name.
Brighton has in fact had 3 piers during its history.

1) The Chain Pier
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In 1827, the first pier opened in Brighton and was, in fact, simply a landing stage for boats and ships. It was named, the Chain Pier. Being so close to the continent, it became used as the first stop off on a travellers journey to London.
It soon became clear that the public like walking on the pier and it offered a recreational purpose. Walking over water was new and therapeutic.
Its construction was typical of its day.
Large pile pillars driven into the ground with large chains suspending a deck above.
It looked a lot like a modern suspension bridge.
It was eventually destroyed in bad weather and replaced by the Palace Pier on the same site.

2) The West Pier
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One of the 2 surviving piers to this day.
In 1864, the West Pier was being built about 1 mile from the Chain Pier. This showed significant changes from the construction of the Chain pier.
Instead of chains, it now had piles driven deep into the ground with a lattice of steel holding them in place. Large Wooden sleepers made up the promenading deck.
It was much wider than the Chain Pier and much safer. A purpose built recreational pier.
It took 2 and a half years to build at a cost of £27,000!!!
A lot of money for then.
With competition appearing in the early 1900's from the Palace Pier, a new attracion wsa called for on the West pier. The owners firstly built the Pavillion on the head of the pier and then the Music hall in the middle sometime durin
g 1916.
During the war, parts of both piers were cut out to prevent the Germans using them as landing stages. This is when the West pier took its biggest damage. So badly damaged that it never really recovered.
It was used as a more upper class pier than the Palace Pier.
Due to its concerts and luxury hotels surrounding, its guests were normally more affluent than its day tripper neighbours on the Palace Pier.
In 1975, after falling into disrepair, the West Pier was closed.
However, during the last few years, it has entered a renovation programme. It is a grade 2 listed build and has to be restored to its former usage.
This was one of the major stumbling blocks when Lord of Brighton, (Boxer,Chris Eubank) wanted to buy it for a home and restore it.
Work Started in 1996 are required much restoration. At this stage, Phase 2 is underway at a cost of £15 Million. This is funded by the Lottery money.
Once finished, it will offer:
Fine restaurants
Commercial ventures
Shops
Museum

The West Pier is certainly going to return to its early 20th Century splendour.


3) Palace Pier
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The most recently constructed out of the 3 and the only one still fully operational, the Palace Pier continues to attract visitors today.
It opened its doors for business in 1899, as a fully recreational pased pier. It was owned by the same company and built on the same site as the Chain Pier after it had blown down 3 years earlier.
This pier was longer than the existing West pier and aimed at the middle and lower class tourists that visited Brighton.
Based more for the londoners on their holidays, The palace Pier soon became a popular attraction in Brighton.
It too was closed during the war and bombed heavily.
After the war it evolved into a modern holiday structure while the Palace remained decorated and fitted with its 20's splendour.
The new pier had Fairground rides at the end wi
th various outlets for food and drink. Sidestalls and games. More recently it has taken on a huge games arcade in the middle of the pier.
It has various events held on the pier every year.
Fireworks displays, Musical extravaganzas, and comedy acts.
Renamed the Brighton Pier, its future is looking very rosy.
It even has its own website that is both attractive, flashy and colourful.

http://www.brightonpier.co.uk

This can keep you up to date with what is on offer there.

They offer facilities for weddings, School parties, and other corporate functions so there is a place in everyones life for the pier!
The best part is, admission is FREE!

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