After three weeks of waiting, the weather finally thawed last Friday and made it possible for the first concrete to be poured on the Grand Pier since the re-build started last September. Concrete was pumped from the shore along the entire length of the waist and contractors were able to create the floor of the 3rd floor plant room and the 250 seater conference room at the front of the second floor overlooking the town.
A relieved Richard Sutton of John Sisk & Co, the Main Contractor said, 'we have been waiting for over three weeks for the weather to break so we could pour the concrete, if it wasn't bad enough having to pump it a quarter of a mile, the inclement weather meant it kept freezing before it got to where we needed it. We are pleased to have finally managed to get it out there and weather permitting, we hope to do another large pour next Wednesday'.
Visitors to the seafront can now see the beginning of a 100-metre long and 20 metre high scaffolding ramp being created in front of the new Pavilion. This is to give access so the roof sheets can be rolled at the shore in one piece and carried along the waist and onto the roof. Each piece is over 80 metres long, this is to ensure that there are no joins that could give rise to troublesome leaks in the future.
They are usually rolled and lifted straight onto the roof but the machine that is used weighs more than 25 tons and cannot be taken onto the Pier so the sheets will have to be carried out and lifted into place by hand. Owner Kerry Michael said, 'this is just one of the many logistical problems we have had to overcome on this project. I can only applaud the way the contractors (John Sisk) continue to overcome the unique challenges that are being thrown at them. Let's hope the worst of the weather is now behind us and we can manage to claw back the lost time'.
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Showing posts with label building. Show all posts
Showing posts with label building. Show all posts
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
Angle Ring supplies pipe clamps for Grand Pier
The Angle Ring Company has supplied purpose-made pipe clamps for the repair and refurbishment of the Grand Pier at Weston-Super-Mare.
The pipe clamps, manufactured for use with cast-iron or steel columns of 282-460mm (d), are being used on the cross-leg bracings.
The fabricated Angle Ring products are designed to be more robust and substantial than conventional pipe-clamp products which are available for this purpose.
They have been formed from 20mm mild steel plate, cut to 70 or 75mm widths, and supplied, shaped, drilled and bevelled to contractual requirements.
600 clamps have been supplied to date, with a further 870 on order or in production.
With either two or four clamps required at each clamping point (depending upon the column location), it is anticipated that further clamps will be required to facilitate full completion of repair work, which is designed to provide longevity to the pier, with a target of completion by June 2010.
Source: Manufacturing Talk
The pipe clamps, manufactured for use with cast-iron or steel columns of 282-460mm (d), are being used on the cross-leg bracings.
The fabricated Angle Ring products are designed to be more robust and substantial than conventional pipe-clamp products which are available for this purpose.
They have been formed from 20mm mild steel plate, cut to 70 or 75mm widths, and supplied, shaped, drilled and bevelled to contractual requirements.
600 clamps have been supplied to date, with a further 870 on order or in production.
With either two or four clamps required at each clamping point (depending upon the column location), it is anticipated that further clamps will be required to facilitate full completion of repair work, which is designed to provide longevity to the pier, with a target of completion by June 2010.
Source: Manufacturing Talk
Thursday, 6 August 2009
The contractor to rebuild the new pavilion at Weston-super-Mare’s historic pier has been appointed.
With the piling work now complete and the enabling work to strengthen the pier structure progressing, John Sisk & Son will now start work as soon as possible to restore the historic tourist attraction that was burnt down in a devastating fire on 28 July 2008.
If work runs on schedule, the owners, Kerry and Michelle Michael, plan to reopen the pier in June 2010.
Kerry Michael, owner of the pier said: “Almost one year on from the fire we’re pleased to have appointed a contractor to rebuild the pavilion. Although the deadlines we have set are very tight I’m hopeful we can get the work complete on time ready for people to enjoy the new pier and all its attractions next summer.
"The Pier is a unique structure and building anything a quarter of a mile out to sea is a challenge for any contractor so we’ve had to be meticulous in our selection. I’m now looking forward to working with the Sisk team and making sure we deliver the World’s greatest pier on time and on budget.
“The aim is to be open at the end of June but if we have good weather this winter there is a chance we could complete earlier, conversely severe weather could still delay the project.”
"The design team have worked diligently and tirelessly to get us to this point so quickly, they have met the very stringent timescales we have set all the way through the project and I am delighted now to have reached the most exciting part when the building begins to take shape.
“I would like to thank everyone on the team for all their efforts to date and I look forward to continuing our work with them to restore this magnificent structure which I hope will be the catalyst for the re-generation of the whole town."
New attractions on the pier will include an 90 metre high panoramic tower where up to 40 people at a time can enjoy a ride and spectacular view of the town; a new Fun House; Go-karts; surf board ride; psychedelic experience; Mirror Maze, robocoaster and laser room.
Firm favourites, such as dodgems, ghost train and arcade games will be back along with improvements, such as an Edwardian Tea Room and new facilities for younger visitors.
Sisk is a national building contractor with projects throughout the UK. It has its headquarters in Hertfordshire and a regional base in Avonmouth, Bristol. In the UK, Sisk has revenues of over £200 million and a staff of 400 people across its 6 business units.
Paul Wilson, managing director of Sisk said: “It is clear how devastating the fire has been, not just for the Pier but for the people of Weston-super-Mare who must have thought this was the end for their biggest tourist attraction.
“Sisk will restore the excitement and grandeur of the historic Pier but with 21st Century facilities for its visitors. We will use our building expertise on what is a major engineering challenge to rebuild the Grand Pier for the important tourist trade in summer 2010.”
If work runs on schedule, the owners, Kerry and Michelle Michael, plan to reopen the pier in June 2010.
Kerry Michael, owner of the pier said: “Almost one year on from the fire we’re pleased to have appointed a contractor to rebuild the pavilion. Although the deadlines we have set are very tight I’m hopeful we can get the work complete on time ready for people to enjoy the new pier and all its attractions next summer.
"The Pier is a unique structure and building anything a quarter of a mile out to sea is a challenge for any contractor so we’ve had to be meticulous in our selection. I’m now looking forward to working with the Sisk team and making sure we deliver the World’s greatest pier on time and on budget.
“The aim is to be open at the end of June but if we have good weather this winter there is a chance we could complete earlier, conversely severe weather could still delay the project.”
"The design team have worked diligently and tirelessly to get us to this point so quickly, they have met the very stringent timescales we have set all the way through the project and I am delighted now to have reached the most exciting part when the building begins to take shape.
“I would like to thank everyone on the team for all their efforts to date and I look forward to continuing our work with them to restore this magnificent structure which I hope will be the catalyst for the re-generation of the whole town."
New attractions on the pier will include an 90 metre high panoramic tower where up to 40 people at a time can enjoy a ride and spectacular view of the town; a new Fun House; Go-karts; surf board ride; psychedelic experience; Mirror Maze, robocoaster and laser room.
Firm favourites, such as dodgems, ghost train and arcade games will be back along with improvements, such as an Edwardian Tea Room and new facilities for younger visitors.
Sisk is a national building contractor with projects throughout the UK. It has its headquarters in Hertfordshire and a regional base in Avonmouth, Bristol. In the UK, Sisk has revenues of over £200 million and a staff of 400 people across its 6 business units.
Paul Wilson, managing director of Sisk said: “It is clear how devastating the fire has been, not just for the Pier but for the people of Weston-super-Mare who must have thought this was the end for their biggest tourist attraction.
“Sisk will restore the excitement and grandeur of the historic Pier but with 21st Century facilities for its visitors. We will use our building expertise on what is a major engineering challenge to rebuild the Grand Pier for the important tourist trade in summer 2010.”
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Grand Pier - one year on
The first anniversary of the fire that destroyed Weston-super-Mare’s Grand Pier sees the structural rebuilding work completed and the pier now ready for its new pavilion to be created.
The devastating blaze on the morning of July 28, 2008 will never be forgotten by those who witnessed it. The pier fire made headlines all around the world with over three million people watching footage of the destruction online.
For pier owners Kerry and Michelle Michael, the brother and sister who grew up opposite the pier, it was the most devastating day of their lives as they saw their business go up in smoke before their eyes.
Before the fire brigade had finished their work on the pier the owners had pledged that it would be rebuilt.
On the first anniversary that pledge is well on the way to being fulfilled with the completion of major structural and piling work that means the pier structure is now ready for the new pavilion to be created.
Planning permission has been achieved for the new 21st century pier that will reflect the traditions of the old pier and plans are in hand for the pier to reopen in time for the summer 2010 season.
Said Kerry Michael: “The piling work that had to be carried out to enable the new pavilion structure to be supported has now been completed. Work also had to be carried out on some areas of the superstructure that had been damaged by the fire and specialists have had to be sure that we could build the new pavilion on a structure designed 100 years ago.
“It has been a long, tough year and we have not had time to even think about what has been achieved so far. There is a long way to go and we won’t be happy until we open the gates for the first time to the first visitor and Weston has its pier back in place as the main focus of the Sea Front and a major attraction for the whole town.
“For the last few weeks we have been in detailed talks with a number of contractors who have responded to our tender for the main building work. We hope to appoint that contractor very soon and they will be working to a tight timetable.”
Michelle Michael said: “The reaction from the public was overwhelming and so many people have been in touch with us to say how much they love the pier and to say how much they want to see it back.
“They helped us to choose an exciting design for the new pavilion and we have been all over the world looking at rides and attractions for the new pier. There is still a massive amount of work to do but a year on we are well on track to have the best pier in the world opened next summer.”
New attractions on the pier will include a 90 metre high panoramic tower where up to 40 people at a time can enjoy a ride and spectacular view of the town; a new Fun House; Go-karts; surf board ride; psychedelic experience; Mirror Maze robocoaster and laser room.
Firm favourites, such as dodgems, ghost train and arcade games will be back along with improvements, such as an Edwardian tea room and new facilities for the youngest visitors.
The devastating blaze on the morning of July 28, 2008 will never be forgotten by those who witnessed it. The pier fire made headlines all around the world with over three million people watching footage of the destruction online.
For pier owners Kerry and Michelle Michael, the brother and sister who grew up opposite the pier, it was the most devastating day of their lives as they saw their business go up in smoke before their eyes.
Before the fire brigade had finished their work on the pier the owners had pledged that it would be rebuilt.
On the first anniversary that pledge is well on the way to being fulfilled with the completion of major structural and piling work that means the pier structure is now ready for the new pavilion to be created.
Planning permission has been achieved for the new 21st century pier that will reflect the traditions of the old pier and plans are in hand for the pier to reopen in time for the summer 2010 season.
Said Kerry Michael: “The piling work that had to be carried out to enable the new pavilion structure to be supported has now been completed. Work also had to be carried out on some areas of the superstructure that had been damaged by the fire and specialists have had to be sure that we could build the new pavilion on a structure designed 100 years ago.
“It has been a long, tough year and we have not had time to even think about what has been achieved so far. There is a long way to go and we won’t be happy until we open the gates for the first time to the first visitor and Weston has its pier back in place as the main focus of the Sea Front and a major attraction for the whole town.
“For the last few weeks we have been in detailed talks with a number of contractors who have responded to our tender for the main building work. We hope to appoint that contractor very soon and they will be working to a tight timetable.”
Michelle Michael said: “The reaction from the public was overwhelming and so many people have been in touch with us to say how much they love the pier and to say how much they want to see it back.
“They helped us to choose an exciting design for the new pavilion and we have been all over the world looking at rides and attractions for the new pier. There is still a massive amount of work to do but a year on we are well on track to have the best pier in the world opened next summer.”
New attractions on the pier will include a 90 metre high panoramic tower where up to 40 people at a time can enjoy a ride and spectacular view of the town; a new Fun House; Go-karts; surf board ride; psychedelic experience; Mirror Maze robocoaster and laser room.
Firm favourites, such as dodgems, ghost train and arcade games will be back along with improvements, such as an Edwardian tea room and new facilities for the youngest visitors.
Thursday, 11 June 2009
Photographer to Chronicle Pier Reconstruction
West Country photographer Chris Abbott has been given the task of recording the rebuilding of Weston's Grand Pier for posterity and appointed as the official photographer of the rebuild.
Chris, from Somerset, will be chronicling work on the £34 million reconstruction stage by stage until its completion in 2010.
He will be given unique access to the site by pier owners Kerry and Michelle Michael to create a documentary record of the work.
Chris was selected after the pier owners interviewed several local photographers to find the right one to commission.
Work to rebuild the pier is on target with support piles for the attraction's new 85 metre observation tower currently being driven into the sea bed.
Father of two Chris, who studied photography at Bridgwater College, launched his business Chris Abbott Photography two years ago.
To find out more about Chris Abbott's work visit:
www.chrisabbottphotography.com
This is just a preview of Chris' work so far on the Pier, stay tuned for new photos of the latest building work!
Chris, from Somerset, will be chronicling work on the £34 million reconstruction stage by stage until its completion in 2010.
He will be given unique access to the site by pier owners Kerry and Michelle Michael to create a documentary record of the work.
"I feel very privileged to be involved in this historic project. It's not everyone who gets to photograph a phoenix as she rises from the ashes."
Chris was selected after the pier owners interviewed several local photographers to find the right one to commission.
Michelle Michael said: "We simply liked Chris' work. We wanted someone that would capture the atmosphere of the rebuild as it is an event that will only happen once and we know that images will be so important to future generations.
"During the rebuild there may be opportunities to take pictures that people will be proud to hang on their wall as art and there will be events that show the people, equipment and work methods used.
"He has already captured some stunning images that show the massive piles that are being driven into the sea bed. This is the only time these will be seen on the surface and the pictures capture the scale of the work."
Work to rebuild the pier is on target with support piles for the attraction's new 85 metre observation tower currently being driven into the sea bed.
Father of two Chris, who studied photography at Bridgwater College, launched his business Chris Abbott Photography two years ago.
To find out more about Chris Abbott's work visit:
www.chrisabbottphotography.com
This is just a preview of Chris' work so far on the Pier, stay tuned for new photos of the latest building work!
Thursday, 4 June 2009
Grand Pier rebuild back on track!
North Somerset Council and the Grand Pier Company have reached an agreement on a number of issues related to the redevelopment of the attraction.
Since last week when news first broke that there was a problem, the two sides have met every day and negotiated an agreement that means the £34million project will continue in earnest.
Grand Pier co-owner, Kerry Michael said: "We are grateful to the Leader of the Council who personally took control of the negotiations. We have worked through the issues to reach a solution which is acceptable to all. Once the key decision makers were all together, we very quickly reached agreement and after that it was just a matter of putting the relevant professionals together to formalise the agreement.
“All we want to do is to get on with the re-building of the Grand Pier, a project which we hope will be the catalyst for the continuing regeneration of the town."
Cllr Nigel Ashton, Leader of North Somerset Council, added: "Following the fire last year which destroyed the pavilion we have worked closely with the owners and will continue to offer our support to them in their efforts to re-build the attraction."
This means that work on the redevelopment of the Pier can progress as planned and on time in accordance with the original completion date of summer 2010.
North Somerset Council and the pier owners both remain fully committed to the redevelopment of this important landmark site.
-----------------------------------------------
Additionally, we would like to thank everyone for the many messages of support of we have had on our Facebook page, in emails via our web site and also letters received over the last few days.
Since last week when news first broke that there was a problem, the two sides have met every day and negotiated an agreement that means the £34million project will continue in earnest.
Grand Pier co-owner, Kerry Michael said: "We are grateful to the Leader of the Council who personally took control of the negotiations. We have worked through the issues to reach a solution which is acceptable to all. Once the key decision makers were all together, we very quickly reached agreement and after that it was just a matter of putting the relevant professionals together to formalise the agreement.
“All we want to do is to get on with the re-building of the Grand Pier, a project which we hope will be the catalyst for the continuing regeneration of the town."
Cllr Nigel Ashton, Leader of North Somerset Council, added: "Following the fire last year which destroyed the pavilion we have worked closely with the owners and will continue to offer our support to them in their efforts to re-build the attraction."
This means that work on the redevelopment of the Pier can progress as planned and on time in accordance with the original completion date of summer 2010.
North Somerset Council and the pier owners both remain fully committed to the redevelopment of this important landmark site.
Additionally, we would like to thank everyone for the many messages of support of we have had on our Facebook page, in emails via our web site and also letters received over the last few days.
Friday, 29 May 2009
Save Our Pier!
As some of you may be aware, the Grand Pier is in a battle with North Somerset Council regarding the rebuild.
We do not think this is acceptable and we would like as many of our friends to support us by telling the council just how important it is for everyone that our Pier is rebuilt as soon as possible.
Our ambition is to build the best Pier in the world that everyone will want to visit; most importantly a place that people of Weston-super-Mare will be proud of and, in turn, will make Weston-super-Mare one of the best seaside resorts in the UK.
North Somerset Council are now preventing us from achieving our goal, due to the continuous spiralling costs they are demanding.
We now need your help to save your Pier.
An Official Statement from Kerry Michael (Grand Pier co-owner):
Please join our Facebook and Twitter pages to get the latest updates!
We do not think this is acceptable and we would like as many of our friends to support us by telling the council just how important it is for everyone that our Pier is rebuilt as soon as possible.
Our ambition is to build the best Pier in the world that everyone will want to visit; most importantly a place that people of Weston-super-Mare will be proud of and, in turn, will make Weston-super-Mare one of the best seaside resorts in the UK.
North Somerset Council are now preventing us from achieving our goal, due to the continuous spiralling costs they are demanding.
We now need your help to save your Pier.
An Official Statement from Kerry Michael (Grand Pier co-owner):
“To enable the new pier to open in time for the summer of 2010 we need to appoint a main contractor to build the new pavilion by the end of June. We fear that we will not be in a position to do that because of a hellish battle we are having with North Somerset Council.
The entire pier project is costing £34million and it will undoubtedly bring prosperity to Weston-super-Mare, and is crucial to the town’s future. Our aim is to build the best pier in the world and for Weston-super-Mare to be a major destination for holiday makers, day trippers and locals alike.
But a series of demands from North Somerset Council, and failure to agree terms with them as adjoining land owners have put the project in jeopardy.
Our estimate of the cost of legal fees for concluding agreement with NSC was originally £20,000, but due the continually changing position of the Council that figure has now exceeded £150,000. Additionally, we are no nearer an agreement today than we were when we started.
Despite personally reaching agreement on costs with the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council two weeks ago, they have moved the goal posts again, and have come back this week demanding we also pay for a gate in their new splash wall and for a seafront traffic light system - adding more than £100,000 to the costs. This is just not acceptable. We fear that even if we agreed to this as well, they will just keep coming back for more and more as they have been doing for months.
We are being charged rent for the beach we are using to get building materials to the pier as the pier waist is not strong enough and rent for the builders’ compound, also on the beach. The council is trying to make a profit out of this tragedy.
The Council is also asking us to pay land management and licence fees, council legal fees, and even the cost of a council employee to keep tabs on us to make sure we are doing everything properly.
North Somerset claims that it is paying half the cost of our coach stop. The truth is that we agreed to pay for whole cost ourselves - until they told us it also had to be used for deliveries, as a bus stop and in fact, anyone could use it. Instead of us building it as we originally offered, it was agreed that they would build it and we would contribute 50% to reflect the fact that it is not now going to be for our sole use. That is very different to their claims that it is paying half ‘for us’.
The perception is that North Somerset Council is bending over backwards to assist us in the re-building of the pavilion but that is not the reality. We originally feared the planning system and to their credit, planning officers dealt efficiently and diligently with our application and it was processed within the expected timescales. But trying to deal with North Somerset as adjoining land owner has been impossible.
We are desperate to re-build the Pavilion and create something that not only we but the whole town can be proud of. Despite the recession, we have pressed ahead as fast as we possibly could to deliver a World class attraction and create more than 200 jobs in the process. If the Council is demanding all these costs because they are trying to be commercial, they should look at the commercial loss to the area if our plans don’t go ahead.”
Please join our Facebook and Twitter pages to get the latest updates!
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Grand Pier work on course
Work to rebuild the Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare is on target with support piles for the attraction’s new 85 metre observation tower due to be driven into the sea bed next week.
So far 22 steel piles have been driven into the sea bed by Commercial Marine Piling to support the new pavilion, which is planned to open in time for the 2010 summer season.
Contractors Commercial Marine Piling is carrying out the work using a specialist jack-up barge brought to site to cope with the high tides. At the same time shot blasting work underneath the pier is also being carried out and replacement of steelwork damaged in the fire that destroyed the old pavilion in July last year.
Image shows the barge next to the Grand Pier.
Contracts for the construction of the new pavilion, which will house exciting amusements and rides for the public, have now gone out to tender.
Co-owners Kerry and Michelle Michael are continuing their worldwide search to find some of the most up-to-date rides and attractions for the new pavilion. But they are also finalising plans for old favourites, such as the Fun House, go-kart track and a traditional helter-skelter.
Michelle Michael said: “Every day sees progress being made and we are working to a tight timescale. So far everything is on course with the piling and superstructure clean-up and we can’t wait for the next stage.”
The Fun House will be twice the size of its predecessor and will be three storeys high with lots of thrills and tricks for those who enter. There will also be “psychedelic experience” where the fun starts by putting on special glasses and entering a world of “mind-blowing” visions from the Sixties.
Image shows an illustration of how the new Crazy House & Psychodelic Trip will look.
Kerry Michael said: “We want this to be the best pier in the world and for that we need to have the best rides, the biggest laughs and the most fun. There are designers and ride specialists working on getting that right for us all over the world.
“The pavilion structure is important but what will entertain local people and also attract people to Weston will be what they find when they go inside. We want to create the fun of a seaside holiday and also an all-year round attraction where local people can let their hair down and enjoy themselves.”
So far 22 steel piles have been driven into the sea bed by Commercial Marine Piling to support the new pavilion, which is planned to open in time for the 2010 summer season.
Contractors Commercial Marine Piling is carrying out the work using a specialist jack-up barge brought to site to cope with the high tides. At the same time shot blasting work underneath the pier is also being carried out and replacement of steelwork damaged in the fire that destroyed the old pavilion in July last year.
Image shows the barge next to the Grand Pier.
Contracts for the construction of the new pavilion, which will house exciting amusements and rides for the public, have now gone out to tender.
Co-owners Kerry and Michelle Michael are continuing their worldwide search to find some of the most up-to-date rides and attractions for the new pavilion. But they are also finalising plans for old favourites, such as the Fun House, go-kart track and a traditional helter-skelter.
Michelle Michael said: “Every day sees progress being made and we are working to a tight timescale. So far everything is on course with the piling and superstructure clean-up and we can’t wait for the next stage.”
The Fun House will be twice the size of its predecessor and will be three storeys high with lots of thrills and tricks for those who enter. There will also be “psychedelic experience” where the fun starts by putting on special glasses and entering a world of “mind-blowing” visions from the Sixties.
Image shows an illustration of how the new Crazy House & Psychodelic Trip will look.
Kerry Michael said: “We want this to be the best pier in the world and for that we need to have the best rides, the biggest laughs and the most fun. There are designers and ride specialists working on getting that right for us all over the world.
“The pavilion structure is important but what will entertain local people and also attract people to Weston will be what they find when they go inside. We want to create the fun of a seaside holiday and also an all-year round attraction where local people can let their hair down and enjoy themselves.”
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)
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