A THREE-STOREY fun house, a laser room and a mirror maze are among the thrilling attractions that will be found on Weston's multi-million pound Grand Pier.
The revamped state-of-the-art pavilion will feature some of the most technologically-advanced rides in the world, it has been revealed this week.
Please go to the Weston Mercury to read the rest of the article.
Thursday, 7 May 2009
The Grand Pier Commends School Project
The owners of the Grand Pier at Weston have praised the efforts of a pupil of Clifton College, who has completed a study on how businesses in the town were affected by the pier fire last year as part of a school project.
It was feared that the Grand Pier fire last July would impact on businesses in the area if tourists stayed away because the pier pavilion had been destroyed.
Alexis Birakos, a year 8 pupil at Clifton College, decided to look at the issue as part of a Georgraphy project asking the question: ‘Has The Loss Of The Grand Pier Adversely Affected Business In Weston-Super-Mare’.
His comprehensive report has now been sent to the owners of the pier, Michelle and Kerry Michael, who say it is a useful piece of research that will benefit the town.
Alexis said: “I carried out a questionnaire and was very surprised because 56% said that their business stayed the same since the pier burnt down and I thought that the majority of business would have been adversely affected especially as 84% of businesses thought that the pier played a really important role in attracting tourists to Weston.”
The report suggests that drops in business could also have been attributed to other factors such as the current recession. Alexis also surveyed members of the public at Bristol Zoo. He found that the majority of people had not been to Weston-super-Mare since the fire but were quite positive about going back when the pier is re-built.
Michelle Michael said: “Alexis’ project is very impressive as he appears to have left no stone un-turned in his research. The findings make for some interesting reading for us and we are aware of how important the pier is to local businesses, which is why we have been so keen to get it rebuilt as quickly as possible.
“In some ways the damaged pier became an attraction in itself last year as many people came to Weston-super-Mare to look at it and the full effects of the fire on local tourism will not be known until the end of this season.”
The information in the project will be used by the Grand Pier as part of its planning for the future.
Alexis’ Geography teacher, Roger Mills, said Alexis had clearly worked hard and produced a very interesting geography investigation.
He said: “We try and encourage all year 8 children to choose something local and interesting to them. This is part of their coursework and this will count for 20% of their overall mark. I am delighted that Alexis`s work will help in promoting the opening of the new structure.”
Pictured: Fiona Hooper (Grand Pier) and Alexis Birakos (Clifton College)
It was feared that the Grand Pier fire last July would impact on businesses in the area if tourists stayed away because the pier pavilion had been destroyed.
Alexis Birakos, a year 8 pupil at Clifton College, decided to look at the issue as part of a Georgraphy project asking the question: ‘Has The Loss Of The Grand Pier Adversely Affected Business In Weston-Super-Mare’.
His comprehensive report has now been sent to the owners of the pier, Michelle and Kerry Michael, who say it is a useful piece of research that will benefit the town.
Alexis said: “I carried out a questionnaire and was very surprised because 56% said that their business stayed the same since the pier burnt down and I thought that the majority of business would have been adversely affected especially as 84% of businesses thought that the pier played a really important role in attracting tourists to Weston.”
The report suggests that drops in business could also have been attributed to other factors such as the current recession. Alexis also surveyed members of the public at Bristol Zoo. He found that the majority of people had not been to Weston-super-Mare since the fire but were quite positive about going back when the pier is re-built.
Michelle Michael said: “Alexis’ project is very impressive as he appears to have left no stone un-turned in his research. The findings make for some interesting reading for us and we are aware of how important the pier is to local businesses, which is why we have been so keen to get it rebuilt as quickly as possible.
“In some ways the damaged pier became an attraction in itself last year as many people came to Weston-super-Mare to look at it and the full effects of the fire on local tourism will not be known until the end of this season.”
The information in the project will be used by the Grand Pier as part of its planning for the future.
Alexis’ Geography teacher, Roger Mills, said Alexis had clearly worked hard and produced a very interesting geography investigation.
He said: “We try and encourage all year 8 children to choose something local and interesting to them. This is part of their coursework and this will count for 20% of their overall mark. I am delighted that Alexis`s work will help in promoting the opening of the new structure.”
Pictured: Fiona Hooper (Grand Pier) and Alexis Birakos (Clifton College)
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
The Barge has Arrived!
The latest news about the Pier is the start of the rebuild. A barge has been parked next to the Pier to hold the equipment and a large crane for the building work. Both the Weston Mercury and the Bristol Evening Post have given us excellent coverage of the barge’s arrival. Please see their news stories:
Weston Mercury
Bristol Evening Post
We have taken several pictures of the barge arriving at the Pier and they are posted in the ‘month one’ album on our facebook page.
The Mercury also have a video of its arrival, please click here to watch.
Weston Mercury
Bristol Evening Post
We have taken several pictures of the barge arriving at the Pier and they are posted in the ‘month one’ album on our facebook page.
The Mercury also have a video of its arrival, please click here to watch.
Friday, 10 April 2009
The re-build has begun!
Work to rebuild Weston’s Grand Pier following last year’s devastating fire is set to begin.
A contractor has been appointed to carry out piling that will help support the new pavilion.
The piling, which will be carried out by Commercial Marine & Piling Ltd (CMP) from Hampshire, will mean around 70 new piles being strategically placed to ensure the pier can support the new pavilion. Scheduled to last up to 15 weeks, the piles will be driven approximately 30 metres into the bedrock.
CMP will use a jack-up barge to drive the piles into the sea bed. The Jack-up barge provides a stable platform from which marine works can be carried out. When jacked up onto the legs the barge provides a platform which can be raised and lowered above the sea level, a feature that is ideal where tidal rise and fall would otherwise cause problems.
The plan is for the main contractor to be appointed for the new pavilion in June/July 2009.
Kerry Michael, owner of the pier said: “The beginning of the piling work is great news and is the beginning of the reconstruction of the pier following the fire. We’re keen to get the work under way and means we are on schedule to reopen for the summer of 2010.
“We aim to keep disruption to local people and businesses to a minimum during this work and we can now look forward with heightened anticipation as the new Grand Pier starts to take shape.”
Sixty per cent larger than its predecessor, the new pavilion will include a selection of state-of-the-art attractions such as an 85-metre high panoramic tower that will rise up revolve 360 degrees, a roof-height twin-chute helter-skelter in the North West tower, traditional Edwardian tea room that will double as a wedding venue for up to 125 guests and additional conference venue which can cater for up to 250 guests.
“We still have a very long way to go but we are determined to achieve our goals and provide the town with a world class facility in time for the summer season 2010,” said Kerry.
A contractor has been appointed to carry out piling that will help support the new pavilion.
The piling, which will be carried out by Commercial Marine & Piling Ltd (CMP) from Hampshire, will mean around 70 new piles being strategically placed to ensure the pier can support the new pavilion. Scheduled to last up to 15 weeks, the piles will be driven approximately 30 metres into the bedrock.
CMP will use a jack-up barge to drive the piles into the sea bed. The Jack-up barge provides a stable platform from which marine works can be carried out. When jacked up onto the legs the barge provides a platform which can be raised and lowered above the sea level, a feature that is ideal where tidal rise and fall would otherwise cause problems.
The plan is for the main contractor to be appointed for the new pavilion in June/July 2009.
Kerry Michael, owner of the pier said: “The beginning of the piling work is great news and is the beginning of the reconstruction of the pier following the fire. We’re keen to get the work under way and means we are on schedule to reopen for the summer of 2010.
“We aim to keep disruption to local people and businesses to a minimum during this work and we can now look forward with heightened anticipation as the new Grand Pier starts to take shape.”
Sixty per cent larger than its predecessor, the new pavilion will include a selection of state-of-the-art attractions such as an 85-metre high panoramic tower that will rise up revolve 360 degrees, a roof-height twin-chute helter-skelter in the North West tower, traditional Edwardian tea room that will double as a wedding venue for up to 125 guests and additional conference venue which can cater for up to 250 guests.
“We still have a very long way to go but we are determined to achieve our goals and provide the town with a world class facility in time for the summer season 2010,” said Kerry.
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
Preview Buffet Bar
While we wait patiently for more Pier news & pictures, we bring you an update from our restaurant at Cribbs Causeway, Bristol.
The restaurant has recently been revamped as Preview Buffet Bar, providing an all inclusive choice of everyone’s favourite meals at a single fixed price. The restaurant provides everything from soups, salad, pasta, grills, Oriental wok dishes, burgers and traditional English roasts from as little as £5.95 per person. Prices vary depending on when you visit and are £5.95 for as much as you can eat on Monday to Friday 11.30am – 5.30pm; £7.95 on Sunday to Thursday evenings, and £9.95 on Friday from 5.30 pm, all day Saturday and Sunday until 5.30 pm and on Bank Holidays. Children under 10 years old eat for £4.95. The menus vary with extra dishes to choose from in the evenings at weekends with a larger carvery selection on Sundays for those who want traditional roasts.
Since the restaurant is located at The Venue, alongside Hollywood Bowl and Vue Cinema, Preview Buffet Bar manager Dean Hawden says he believes the new concept will be hugely popular with visitors to The Venue – especially those grabbing a bite before taking in a movie or going bowling.
Dean said: “We are the perfect solution to the problem of everyone in a party fancying something different to eat. We have all been in the situation where someone wants a Chinese meal, but someone else wants pizza, another wants a roast and someone else is on a diet and just wants a salad.
“But now everyone can go to the same restaurant and just help themselves to their favourite dish from the buffet at an all inclusive price while our chefs keep preparing fresh food in the background. We have a pizza oven turning out fresh pizzas, wok dishes freshly prepared and children will enjoy building their own ice cream dessert from the ice cream machine.”
Another major plus of the Preview Buffet Bar pre-pay and self serve system is that there is no waiting for meals to be delivered to the table, or for the bill to arrive at the end.
Dean Hawden also says: “We recognise that our customers are out for a night at the cinema, or going bowling or popping in on a shopping trip and they want quick service There is no anxiety waiting for someone to take your order or bring your meal and no waving at people to get the bill or make a payment when you want to leave to catch the movie. Because you pay on arrival and the food is ready you can be as fast as you like or linger longer over a drink.”
Photo shows Preview staff members.
Preview Buffet Bar, The Venue, Merlin Road,
Cribbs Causeway, Bristol, BS10 7SR
T: 0117 959 8282 E: info@previewbarandgrill.co.uk
The restaurant has recently been revamped as Preview Buffet Bar, providing an all inclusive choice of everyone’s favourite meals at a single fixed price. The restaurant provides everything from soups, salad, pasta, grills, Oriental wok dishes, burgers and traditional English roasts from as little as £5.95 per person. Prices vary depending on when you visit and are £5.95 for as much as you can eat on Monday to Friday 11.30am – 5.30pm; £7.95 on Sunday to Thursday evenings, and £9.95 on Friday from 5.30 pm, all day Saturday and Sunday until 5.30 pm and on Bank Holidays. Children under 10 years old eat for £4.95. The menus vary with extra dishes to choose from in the evenings at weekends with a larger carvery selection on Sundays for those who want traditional roasts.
Since the restaurant is located at The Venue, alongside Hollywood Bowl and Vue Cinema, Preview Buffet Bar manager Dean Hawden says he believes the new concept will be hugely popular with visitors to The Venue – especially those grabbing a bite before taking in a movie or going bowling.
Dean said: “We are the perfect solution to the problem of everyone in a party fancying something different to eat. We have all been in the situation where someone wants a Chinese meal, but someone else wants pizza, another wants a roast and someone else is on a diet and just wants a salad.
“But now everyone can go to the same restaurant and just help themselves to their favourite dish from the buffet at an all inclusive price while our chefs keep preparing fresh food in the background. We have a pizza oven turning out fresh pizzas, wok dishes freshly prepared and children will enjoy building their own ice cream dessert from the ice cream machine.”
Another major plus of the Preview Buffet Bar pre-pay and self serve system is that there is no waiting for meals to be delivered to the table, or for the bill to arrive at the end.
Dean Hawden also says: “We recognise that our customers are out for a night at the cinema, or going bowling or popping in on a shopping trip and they want quick service There is no anxiety waiting for someone to take your order or bring your meal and no waving at people to get the bill or make a payment when you want to leave to catch the movie. Because you pay on arrival and the food is ready you can be as fast as you like or linger longer over a drink.”
Photo shows Preview staff members.
Cribbs Causeway, Bristol, BS10 7SR
T: 0117 959 8282 E: info@previewbarandgrill.co.uk
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