northerly coastal piers built 1860s oldest longest originally intended competition forced pier widen attractions include theatres bars unlike piers attracted working classes open air dancing better class market orchestra concerts respectable pier consistently charged admission pier designated english_heritage grade listed building status oldest surviving pier created regular use despite having suffered damage fires storms collisions boats attractions include bars theatre arcade oldest remaining glove display commemorating buying original puppet location built end road town railway station built reflects location northerly piers yards north tower roughly sea particularly straight flat stretch coastline yards pier extends right angles level history construction eventually started parish october severe storms suggested planned height pier insufficient increased feet second fourteen piers designed destroyed storm oldest remaining examples work use birch piers built glasgow engineering firm son pier cost build originally consisted yards long yards wide extending yards wide pier head bulk pier constructed cast iron wooden deck laid cast iron piles structure rests inserted birch screw pile process screw tipped piles twisted sand hit bedrock construction quicker easier guaranteed pier solid foundation cast iron columns inches diameter filled concrete stability intervals yards supported average slightly inch thick pier deck lined wooden benches ornamental cast iron backs intervals pier built wood glass roofs topped decorative opening occupied stall near ends pier seated shelters pier head combination tons cast iron tons wrought iron columns standing feet low water line sees regular feet change sea level tide opening pier officially opened grand ceremony final yards completed shops area closed decorated flags ceremony included procession cannon salute attended visitors town population approximately holiday makers regularly stayed summer months included following year pier officially opened major preston officials travelled celebratory meal pier intended primarily leisure price worth approximately pier provided opportunity visitors walk close sea fee insufficient deter led major preston campaigning new pier cater government agreed second pier built despite objections close pier unnecessary 19th century permitted original parliamentary order landing built end stages length yards extensions increased pier total length current yards operate pleasure trips surrounding areas swimming diving lessons added pier pier head extended allow incorporate pavilion opened interior decoration led known indian pavilion primary venue indoor entertainment opened differentiate new pier focused catering better classes charging entry including attractions orchestra band concerts contrast people pier regularly music playing open air dancing pier owners highlighted difference charging worth approximately concerts ensuring advertisements focused lack sundays given church parade october storm damaged vessel hit southern pier causing shops deck collapse beach columns ship hit pier entrance crew members rescued hauled pier damage pier estimated promptly repaired nelson flagship moored alongside exhibition slipped anchor wrecked shore violent storm june damaging wreck ship broke december storms pier closed winter unsafe result pier widened electric lighting added 20th century arcade pavilion added entrance pier contained wide range suit tastes alterations pier open air stand replaced stage sun lounge pleasure steamer returning crashed pier collision left feet gap stranded number people far end indian pavilion severely damaged fire refurbished destroyed second fire replaced theatre built art style time removed replaced sun lounge 1960s england bar amusement arcade constructed end pier nearest shore theatre use narrowly escaped damage early stages fire noticed performer 1980s victorian styled entrance built pier gained bar additional attraction small ease access pier head point pier ceased nautical use section adapted use helicopter pad late 1980s christmas eve storm destroyed landing including remaining examples birch classic pier architecture grade listed building pier hold status recognised pier year attractions attractions include gypsy palm reader ice cream victorian tea room bars arcade built 1960s approximately million coins pass machines year earliest bear display pier bought original puppet son matthew took puppet bbc programme marked nose ears black white television giving puppet bar pier head victorian wrought iron canopy outdoor sun lounge classified largest beer garden bar tier venetian protected sand spray glass wall fire pavilion replaced seat theatre hosted number acts including wise des connor pace heritage room photographs opened entrance refurbished disabled lift added longer live playing sun lounge live entertainment continues live brought sun lounge ownership pier built owned created thousand shares worth approximately firm operated pier company incorporated leisure including pier sold million pier sold piers group owns piers hoped use alternative new owners opened victorian themed tea room built seat shuttle running length pier april pier sold family firm owners amusement arcades big wheel central pier explained proposed wife years ago promised buy day said wants restore victorian heritage pier pier admission charge access board walk section pier abolished petition wind northern victorian company family manage presented september limited company heard november 11th hour agreement pay outstanding balance owed company escaped
North Pier, Blackpool