A business has hit out after Southport Pier was shut over health and safety concerns.
Earlier in December, Sefton Council announced that it was closing the pier to the public due to “significant and unavoidable damage” to the decking boards of the pier created by the cold conditions. Following the closure notice, just six days later, Southport Pier Pavilion took to Facebook to express their frustration.
The business wrote: "To all of our wonderful customers and followers. We have had many messages today asking whether the pier will re-open now the ice has melted, as the news articles stated was the problem. Or rather irritating the problem that was already in hand.
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"The pier has been being refurbished and re-boarded daily since June. This is an ongoing project and we anticipated remaining open and the work being done in sections. To avoid the loss of public enjoyment and of course jobs. Now, this seems to not be the case given the recent news. It was already hard enough having to deal with the loss of our road train this season.
"Unfortunately, this matter is out of our hands and we cannot answer questions as we have no answers at present. We are as frustrated as you all. Our poor (amazing) staff are losing their minds too.
"We had so many plans for the next season. To invest in the pier and the outside offering. Deck chairs, planters, more food and drink offers. But after this current setback and just recovering from covid loss, these plans are yet again going to have to wait.
"If you have any questions, comments or concerns about the issue please direct them to Sefton Council tourism as they can answer more than we can. Thanks for your continued support."
The pier remains shut and temporary metal fences have been placed at the entrances to the pier with signs which read: "The pier is temporarily closed for essential maintenance. Apologies for any inconvenience."
The news that the pier was being forced to close came after Sefton Council revealed it was going to cost in the region of £3m to restore the UK's second-largest pier. In an update, Sefton Council wasn't able to give a reopening date on the pier.
A Sefton Council spokesperson said: "As we said when the closure was announced, Southport Pier will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. Regular inspections will take place and updates will be shared in due course.
"We appreciate this is a frustrating time for people working on and around the pier but we are sure that they, like the council, wouldn’t want any members of the public or their colleagues put in any risk of harm by venturing onto the pier in current conditions."
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