Factfile

The West Pier: Factfile

1866 - The West Pier is built
1883-1916 - The pier begins its evolution from a promende pier to a pleasure pier with the building of a theatre and concert hall
1920s - At the peak of its popularity after the First World War the pier attracts more than two million paying visitors a year
1930s-1940s - The pier's popularity begins to wane and it is left to the elements during the Second World War after the middle section of the decking is removed to prevent an enemy landing
1950s - The pier completes its evolution into a funfair with dodgems, and other amusements while the theatre is transformed into a restaurant and the concert hall a tearoom
1960s - The pier's popularity hits rock bottom and it falls into financial difficulties
1970 - The main pierhead is closed due to safety fears
1975 - The West Pier is closed to the public
1976 - Brighton Council wants to demolish the unsafe sea end but changes its mind after a huge petition is raised by the We Want the West Pier Campaign
1982 - The West Pier becomes the only pier in Britain to be awarded Grade I status as a listed building
1983 - The Brighton West Pier Trust buys the pier for £100
1998 - £14 million is made availble from the National Lottery for restoration but it will only be released once a deal with private sector partners has been agreed
February 1999 - Chris Eubank's Eugenius Consortium unveils plans to restore the pier
June 2000 - The Eugenius Consortium fails after the collapse of its financial backers
June 2000 - St Modwen becomes the Brighton West Pier Trust's third development partner
May 2001 - The owners of the Palace Pier begin a legal challenge to the West Pier's right to National Lottery funds claiming unfair competition
June 2001 - English Heritage names the West Pier as the most "at risk" Grade I listed building in the UK
July 2001 - St Modwen unveils its plans to restore the pier
September 2001 - Opposition mounts to St Modwen's plans
November 2001 - Public tours of the West Pier are halted due to saftey fears
December 2001 - The Eugenius Consortium re-emerges with new plans to restore the pier
February 2002 - The West Pier Trust and St Modwen unveil revised plans
September 2002 - The West Pier Trust and St Modwen unveil further revised plans following public opposition
October 2002 - The Palace pier takes its legal challenge to the European Court
October 2002 - English Nature joins list of objectors to restoration plans due to fears about the future of the West Pier starlings
December 2002 - Part of the Concert Hall collapses into the sea during storms
January 2003 - A second collapse leaves the pier on the brink of collapse
January 2003 - The Birch Consortium unveils alternative plans to save the pier
February 2003 - English Heritage backs St Modwen's plans to restore the West Pier
February 2003 - Brighton and Hove planning officials back St Modwen's plans and recommend city councillors give the green light
March 2003 - Government rules out holding public inquiry
March 2003 - Fire rips through the pier after a suspected arson attack
May 2003 - A second fire reduces the pier to a charred skeleton
May 2003 - Palace Pier owners step up campaign for public inquiry and pursue further legal challenges
December 2003 - English Heritage says restoration should go ahead, calling the pier the most important in the country
January 2004 - The Heritage Lottery Fund shatters the restoration dream after withdrawing funding over fears of escalating costs