Contractors working on Weston-super-Mare’s Grand Pier have suffered another setback. The decking installed all around the new Pavilion building is already failing and it is feared that it will have to be lifted and re-laid.
Structural engineers have been called in to assess the problem and their report is awaited, but owner Kerry Michael fears the worst. He said contractors had advised him late yesterday (17th August) that they had concerns over the structural integrity of the new decking.
Kerry Michael said: “Structural engineers are looking into the design to see if it meets the requirements and if, as I fear, it does not, it will have to be stripped and re-done.
“I am bitterly disappointed at the continued delays on the project. We should have been open weeks ago and not only have we lost the entire summer, but it looks like we will be losing what’s left of the season as well.
“I can only apologise to everyone that has been waiting patiently for the re-opening – those who have booked events that cannot go ahead, the staff waiting in the wings for a start date and to the whole town and sea-front traders, who like us, are losing out every day.
“We continue to work with contractors to complete the project as soon as we can, but we are in their hands. There is little our team can do until the building is complete and handed over to us.
“Problems aside, the building is really looking good. All the rides are now fully installed and working. The kitchens are in and the function rooms and wedding venues are stunning. When it’s finished it will be something we can all be proud of, but we have to get it right and we won’t compromise on quality”.
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Thursday, 19 August 2010
Thursday, 12 August 2010
Boxing To Return To Grand Pier
Boxing is making a return to Weston-super-Mare’s Grand Pier. Alex Demetriou from the Grand Pier has teamed up with Britain’s first officially licensed female boxer, Jane Couch MBE, to promote an amateur boxing event due to take place on Friday 3rd December. It will be the first of many boxing events planned throughout the year.
Boxing on Weston’s Grand Pier dates back to 1904, when boxing matches took place in the 2,000 seat pavilion, along with opera, music hall and Shakespearean plays.
Amateur boxing clubs from around the South West region are being invited to sign up for the event. The evening will be one of the first big events to be held in the brand new Pavilion building, which has the largest pillar-less performance space in the South West.
A special guest at the event will be former WBC heavyweight champion Tim Witherspoon.
Jane Couch said: “Since I retired from boxing in 2008 I have become a boxing promoter and I am delighted to have been approached by the owners of the Grand Pier to help them stage their boxing matches. It’s great to see the traditional sport of boxing returning to the Grand Pier after its £51m re-build”.
Events will take place throughout the year in the Pavilion building, including concerts and fashion shows, along with weddings, conferences and corporate events.
Tickets for the event will go on sale shortly and are expected to cost from £10 for standing room. There will also be VIP tables available and the opportunity to attend a drinks reception with special guests.
To register your interest in the amateur boxing night email events@grandpier.co.uk
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Boxing on Weston’s Grand Pier dates back to 1904, when boxing matches took place in the 2,000 seat pavilion, along with opera, music hall and Shakespearean plays.
Amateur boxing clubs from around the South West region are being invited to sign up for the event. The evening will be one of the first big events to be held in the brand new Pavilion building, which has the largest pillar-less performance space in the South West.
A special guest at the event will be former WBC heavyweight champion Tim Witherspoon.
Jane Couch said: “Since I retired from boxing in 2008 I have become a boxing promoter and I am delighted to have been approached by the owners of the Grand Pier to help them stage their boxing matches. It’s great to see the traditional sport of boxing returning to the Grand Pier after its £51m re-build”.
Events will take place throughout the year in the Pavilion building, including concerts and fashion shows, along with weddings, conferences and corporate events.
Tickets for the event will go on sale shortly and are expected to cost from £10 for standing room. There will also be VIP tables available and the opportunity to attend a drinks reception with special guests.
To register your interest in the amateur boxing night email events@grandpier.co.uk
For latest images check out our WEBCAM
Become a fan on FACEBOOK
Get tweeting with us on TWITTER
Wednesday, 4 August 2010
Grand Pier’s Opening Hit By Delay
Weston-super-Mare’s Grand Pier will not re-open this month, after the project was hit by further delays.
Pier owner Kerry Michael issued the following statement today: -
“Following a meeting with contractors today, it has become clear that we will not be able to re-open The Grand Pier this month.
“Practical completion should have taken place on 25th June when we expected the keys to be handed over. However, this date has been put back repeatedly and it is now clear that contractors are still some time away from completion. Unfortunately they were unable to advise us of a revised date for the handover and we in turn, cannot set a date for opening until they do. Once we have been given a date from contractors, we will post details on our website www.grandpier.co.uk
“We are bitterly disappointed at the continued delay which we understand is causing uncertainty and concern for many people, not only those who are looking forward to the new Pavilion and its facilities but also for our suppliers, staff and other businesses in the town. We will do everything we can to ensure the Grand Pier re-opens just as soon as practically possible but until such time as we have a completion date from contractors, we can do no more”.
Pier owner Kerry Michael issued the following statement today: -
“Following a meeting with contractors today, it has become clear that we will not be able to re-open The Grand Pier this month.
“Practical completion should have taken place on 25th June when we expected the keys to be handed over. However, this date has been put back repeatedly and it is now clear that contractors are still some time away from completion. Unfortunately they were unable to advise us of a revised date for the handover and we in turn, cannot set a date for opening until they do. Once we have been given a date from contractors, we will post details on our website www.grandpier.co.uk
“We are bitterly disappointed at the continued delay which we understand is causing uncertainty and concern for many people, not only those who are looking forward to the new Pavilion and its facilities but also for our suppliers, staff and other businesses in the town. We will do everything we can to ensure the Grand Pier re-opens just as soon as practically possible but until such time as we have a completion date from contractors, we can do no more”.
Monday, 26 July 2010
THE GRAND BIER FOR THE GRAND PIER
Weston-super-Mare’s Grand Pier is to have its very own real ale. The beer, which has been christened The Grand Bier, is available on draught and also in bottles.
Regency Purchasing Group, a procurement business for food, drink, utilities and equipment, has been responsible for commissioning the beer. The beer is being brewed by the Bristol Beer Factory.
The golden ale, with an alcohol content of 4.4%, will be sold in Captain Jack’s bar on the Grand Pier and it will also be available for sale in souvenir presentation boxes, which visitors will be able to purchase in the gift shops on the Pier.
Special labels have been designed by Grand Pier staff, featuring an image of the Pier and the Grand Pier logo. The design will go onto souvenir bottles and beer hand pumps.
The Grand Bier real ale will also be available to purchase by all Regency Purchasing Group members.
Regency Purchasing Group Managing Director Alex Demetriou said: “The re-opening of the Grand Pier is something to celebrate. One of the ways we thought was appropriate to that was to commission the brewing of our very own real ale”.
The Regency Purchasing Group was established 20 years ago and is the area’s leading buying group for the leisure industry with an annual purchasing power of more than £50m. For further information on Regency Purchasing Group go to www.regencypurchasing.co.uk email info@regencypurchasing.co.uk or call 01934 646134.
Regency Purchasing Group, a procurement business for food, drink, utilities and equipment, has been responsible for commissioning the beer. The beer is being brewed by the Bristol Beer Factory.
The golden ale, with an alcohol content of 4.4%, will be sold in Captain Jack’s bar on the Grand Pier and it will also be available for sale in souvenir presentation boxes, which visitors will be able to purchase in the gift shops on the Pier.
Special labels have been designed by Grand Pier staff, featuring an image of the Pier and the Grand Pier logo. The design will go onto souvenir bottles and beer hand pumps.
The Grand Bier real ale will also be available to purchase by all Regency Purchasing Group members.
Regency Purchasing Group Managing Director Alex Demetriou said: “The re-opening of the Grand Pier is something to celebrate. One of the ways we thought was appropriate to that was to commission the brewing of our very own real ale”.
The Regency Purchasing Group was established 20 years ago and is the area’s leading buying group for the leisure industry with an annual purchasing power of more than £50m. For further information on Regency Purchasing Group go to www.regencypurchasing.co.uk email info@regencypurchasing.co.uk or call 01934 646134.
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
RECYCLING WESTON’S GRAND PIER
Decking salvaged from Weston’s Grand Pier after the fire in July 2008 has been recycled into furniture.
Over 100 benches, 80 full size tables, 320 seats and seating on the new land trains have all been made from the salvaged wood.
The remainder of the wood from the Pier went to Somerset Wood Recycling, a not-for-profit social enterprise, set up early in 2007 to re-use and recycle waste wood. The organisation supports the town by offering employment, training and volunteering opportunities for long term unemployed and those affected by mental illness living in or near Weston-super-Mare.
Somerset Wood Recycling has made a heavy outdoor chair from some of the recycled Pier wood and will present it to Pier owners Kerry and Michelle Michael when the Pier re-opens this summer.
Kerry Michael said: “I am delighted that we have been able to put the wood to some good use. I was very keen for it to be salvaged and recycled. A bit of the old Pier will still be with us as we re-open this summer. Somerset Wood Recycling’s gift of an outdoor chair is much appreciated. I am very pleased the organisation has benefitted from the wood off the Pier”.
MD of Somerset Wood Recycling Tristan Tudor said: “We’re very glad that the Michaels ‘ helped us to secure the wood collections from the Pier. A lot of the wood has been of an amazing quality and it means a lot to us that the wood came from the Pier.
“The chair we will present to the Pier is constructed entirely from old decking and was made by Jeff Conibeer, from the Bourneville Estate in Weston. Jeff came on the project through the Future Jobs Fund after being unemployed. He has produced a really distinctive chair”.
Salvaged wood from the Pier is now being made into benches to be installed all over Weston. More wood from the old Pier will also be on display at The Chocolate Gardens in Bourneville in the form of gazebos, planters and benches.
Over 100 benches, 80 full size tables, 320 seats and seating on the new land trains have all been made from the salvaged wood.
The remainder of the wood from the Pier went to Somerset Wood Recycling, a not-for-profit social enterprise, set up early in 2007 to re-use and recycle waste wood. The organisation supports the town by offering employment, training and volunteering opportunities for long term unemployed and those affected by mental illness living in or near Weston-super-Mare.
Somerset Wood Recycling has made a heavy outdoor chair from some of the recycled Pier wood and will present it to Pier owners Kerry and Michelle Michael when the Pier re-opens this summer.
Kerry Michael said: “I am delighted that we have been able to put the wood to some good use. I was very keen for it to be salvaged and recycled. A bit of the old Pier will still be with us as we re-open this summer. Somerset Wood Recycling’s gift of an outdoor chair is much appreciated. I am very pleased the organisation has benefitted from the wood off the Pier”.
MD of Somerset Wood Recycling Tristan Tudor said: “We’re very glad that the Michaels ‘ helped us to secure the wood collections from the Pier. A lot of the wood has been of an amazing quality and it means a lot to us that the wood came from the Pier.
“The chair we will present to the Pier is constructed entirely from old decking and was made by Jeff Conibeer, from the Bourneville Estate in Weston. Jeff came on the project through the Future Jobs Fund after being unemployed. He has produced a really distinctive chair”.
Salvaged wood from the Pier is now being made into benches to be installed all over Weston. More wood from the old Pier will also be on display at The Chocolate Gardens in Bourneville in the form of gazebos, planters and benches.
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