Fleetwood Pier
Encyclopedia
Fleetwood Pier, also known as the Victoria Pier, was a pleasure pier located in the English town of Fleetwood
, Lancashire
. The building was destroyed by fire and demolished in 2008. It was built in 1910 at the end of the golden age of pier building. Other than a 1957 pier built in Deal, Kent
to replace a structure damaged in World War II
, it was the last pleasure pier to be built in the United Kingdom. At 492 feet (150 m) in length, it was one of the shortest piers in the country. The pier was badly damaged in 1952 after a fire which started in the cinema, and it did not reopen until 1958. At various times it has been an amusement complex, bar
and dance hall
, but had been closed for almost two years prior to the destructive fire which gutted the superstructure in September, 2008. At that time, the owners, Simmo Developments, had submitted plans to convert the structure into an apartment complex.
attended the scene. However, the pier was severely damaged. An investigation was put in place to determine the cause of the blaze. On September 26, 2008, Wyre
Borough Council, citing safety concerns, announced that the pier would be completely demolished, within two to three weeks. On October 10, 2008 the Council confirmed that the pier would not be rebuilt.
Fleetwood
Fleetwood is a town within the Wyre district of Lancashire, England, lying at the northwest corner of the Fylde. It had a population of 26,840 people at the 2001 Census. It forms part of the Greater Blackpool conurbation. The town was the first planned community of the Victorian era...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
. The building was destroyed by fire and demolished in 2008. It was built in 1910 at the end of the golden age of pier building. Other than a 1957 pier built in Deal, Kent
Deal, Kent
Deal is a town in Kent England. It lies on the English Channel eight miles north-east of Dover and eight miles south of Ramsgate. It is a former fishing, mining and garrison town...
to replace a structure damaged in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, it was the last pleasure pier to be built in the United Kingdom. At 492 feet (150 m) in length, it was one of the shortest piers in the country. The pier was badly damaged in 1952 after a fire which started in the cinema, and it did not reopen until 1958. At various times it has been an amusement complex, bar
Bar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
and dance hall
Dance hall
Dance hall in its general meaning is a hall for dancing. From the earliest years of the twentieth century until the early 1960s, the dance hall was the popular forerunner of the discothèque or nightclub...
, but had been closed for almost two years prior to the destructive fire which gutted the superstructure in September, 2008. At that time, the owners, Simmo Developments, had submitted plans to convert the structure into an apartment complex.
2008 fire
The 2008 Fleetwood Pier fire began during the early hours of 9 September 2008 and resulted in the pier's destruction. The fire was reported to the emergency services at 4:30am after a member of the public saw smoke rising from one of the buildings, and firefighters from Lancashire Fire and Rescue ServiceLancashire Fire and Rescue Service
The Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service is the county-wide, statutory emergency fire and rescue service for the Shire county of Lancashire, England....
attended the scene. However, the pier was severely damaged. An investigation was put in place to determine the cause of the blaze. On September 26, 2008, Wyre
Wyre
Wyre is a local government district with borough status in Lancashire, England. Its council is based in Poulton-le-Fylde.The district is named after the River Wyre, which runs through the district...
Borough Council, citing safety concerns, announced that the pier would be completely demolished, within two to three weeks. On October 10, 2008 the Council confirmed that the pier would not be rebuilt.