Worthing Pier is the second most impressive pier in the country.

The 984ft landmark, which opened in April 1862 at 960ft long, was beaten to the top spot by Cromer Pier in Norfolk in the annual Pier of the Year competition run by the National Pier Society.

Worthing Pier also beat their rival Birdman destination Bognor into 11th place.

Eastbourne came 3rd and Brighton’s Palace Pier languished into 19th place in the rankings.

Hastings and Brighton’s West Pier were ineligible for the contest because they are closed.

Worthing Borough Councillor Bryan Turner, executive member for regeneration, said: “We are delighted Worthing Pier has placed second. Of course, it’s a pity we didn’t come first, but we’re pleased with the acknowledgement, especially after extensive refurbishment of the Southern Pavilion in 2013.”

Pier users have hailed the renovation of the Southern Pavilion after standing empty for three years as one of the pier’s biggest attractions.

Jean Williams, of Sompting told The Argus: “The new cafe looks beautiful.”

The Grade II listed building, originally built in 1935, was reopened last year having been returned to its original Art Deco splendour.

The building is now used as a cafe with 360 degree sea views during the day and is also used as a venue for weddings, conferences, music nights, shows and community events.

Worthing’s Youth Council is currently exploring the history of Worthing Pier through a project called History of Our Pier, and last month a time capsule, containing poems, stories, letters and artwork from young people in schools across Worthing, was buried.

 

Timeline
1860 – Worthing Pier Company formed to build Worthing’s first pier. Sir Robert Rawlinson commissioned to design it.
1862 –Worthing Pier opens to the public. The structure cost £6,500.
1913 – Easter Monday, the decking collapses during a violent storm, isolating the Southern Pavilion, which become known as “Worthing’s Easter Islands”. Pier closed to the public.
1925 – Building begins on a new shoreward end pavilion, designed by Adshead and Ramsey
1926 – June, new shoreward end pavilion is officially opened
1933 –Fire destroys the Southern Pavilion.
1935 – New Southern Pavilion opens, costing £18,000
1937 – Amusement pavilion is built and opened halfway along the pier
1940 – Pier is closed to the public during the Second World War and a 120 metre section of the decking is destroyed to thwart potential enemy invasion
1942 – The shoreward pavilion is used as a troop recreation centre
1959 – The Denton Lounge is built.
1979 to 1982 – The shoreward pavilion is redeveloped as an entertainment centre
2008 – The Birdman competition moves to Worthing Pier
2012 –Nightclub lease runs out on southern pavilion, which stays empty and unused for the next 20 months
2014 – Southern Pavilion reopens as a new all purpose venue