St Annes Pier

{{Short description|Victorian pier in Lancashire, England}} {{Use British English|date=January 2018}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}} {{Infobox pier | name = St Annes Pier | image = Pier - geograph.org.uk - 848718-2.jpg | image_size = 275px | alt = St Anne's Pier | caption = View of St Annes Pier | official_name = | carries = | spans = | locale = [[St Annes-on-the-Sea]], [[Lancashire]] | type = Victorian Pleasure Pier | maint = | id = | designer = Alfred Dowson (1880–1885) Garlick and Sykes (1901–1904) | construction = | owner = | mainspan = | length = {{Convert|600|ft}} | width = {{Convert|34|ft}} | clearance = | below = | traffic = | open = 15 June 1885 | closed = | toll = | map_cue = | map_image = | map_text = | map_width = | coordinates = {{coord|53.7496|-3.0351|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}} | map = United Kingdom Lytham St Annes#United Kingdom The Fylde | map_caption = Location in Lytham St Annes##Location on the Fylde }}

'''St Annes Pier''' is a [[Victorian era]] pleasure [[pier]] in the English seaside resort of [[St Annes-on-the-Sea]], [[Lancashire]]. It lies on the estuary of the [[River Ribble]]. The pier, designed by Alfred Dowson,<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=UEYTTANjAyQC&q=a+dowson+st+anne%27s+pier ''British Seaside Piers''], Anthony Wills, Tim Phillips (2014), p. 180</ref> was completed in 1885 and was one of the earliest public buildings in St Annes, a 19th-century planned town. The pier was originally intended to be a sedate promenading venue for the resort's visitors, but attractions were later added. Changes made to the estuary channels to improve access to Preston Dock left the pier on dry land and ended its steamer services to Blackpool and Liverpool.

A Tudor-style entrance was built in 1899. Early 20th-century additions included a [[Moorish architecture|Moorish]]-style pavilion in 1904 and the Floral Hall in 1910. The Moorish Pavilion was destroyed by fire in 1974, shortly after the town's centenary; the Floral Hall burned down in 1982. Originally {{Convert|914|ft}} long, the pier was reduced to {{Convert|600|ft}} by the demolition of the seaward end. [[English Heritage]] has designated the pier a Grade II [[listed building]].

==Background== St Annes-on-the-Sea is a [[planned community|planned]] seaside resort on [[the Fylde]] coast, at the mouth of the [[River Ribble]], in Lancashire. It was developed in the 19th century, largely by the [[St Anne's on the Sea Land and Building Company]].<ref name=Easdown87 /> The company was formed in 1874 and leased land for the new town from the estate of the local Clifton family.<ref name=Easdown88 /> Towards the end of the 19th century, pleasure piers became a common feature of English seaside resorts, and by the 1870s there were already two piers in nearby [[Blackpool]] (now called [[North Pier, Blackpool|North]] and [[Central Pier, Blackpool|Central Pier]]s), one in [[Southport Pier|Southport]] and one {{Convert|3.5|mi}} away in [[Lytham Pier|Lytham]].<ref name=Mawson78 /> The wording of the land company's original lease indicates that a pier was probably planned for St Annes from its beginning. A subsidiary, the St Annes-on-the-Sea Pier and Improvements Company was formed in 1877.<ref name=Shakeshaft172 /> The company directors believed that a pier at St Annes would offer visitors better conditions for fishing and boating than those at neighbouring resorts.<ref name=Shakeshaft173 />

==Construction== {{anchor|St. Anne's-on-the-Sea Pier Order 1879}} There was some delay in building the new pier because of an economic downturn.<ref name=Easdown89 /> Engineers inspected the site in 1879, and construction began in 1880.<ref name=Shakeshaft173 /> The architect was Alfred Dowson.<ref name=Hartwell /> The pier is constructed of [[cast iron]] columns and lattice [[girder]]s with wooden decking and intricate decorative iron-work on the deck.<ref name=EH /><ref name=Bainbridge112 /> The columns were sunk to a depth of {{Convert|50|ft}}.<ref name=Harrison111 /> The original structure was {{Convert|914|ft}} long and {{Convert|19|ft}} wide.<ref name=Mawson78 /><ref name=Easdown94 /> It included a band kiosk built of glass and iron.<ref name=Shakeshaft174 /> Construction cost £18,000 and took more than five years.<ref name=Shakeshaft173 /> The pier was opened by [[Frederick Stanley, 16th Earl of Derby|Frederick Stanley]] on 15 June 1885,<ref name=Easdown90 /> in a ceremony attended by local dignitaries, school children, the Preston Militia band, and the Order of Mechanics.<ref name=Shakeshaft174 /> The opening featured the launch of a lifeboat named the ''Laura Janet'', whose crew was lost the following year in the [[Southport and St Anne's lifeboats disaster]].<ref name=Shakeshaft175 />

In 1891 a wooden landing [[jetty]] at the end of the pier was extended, in an L shape, by engineering and architecture firm Garlick and Sykes.<ref name=Mawson78 /> The new iron extension was three storeys high and measured {{Convert|120|ft}} long by {{Convert|90|ft}} wide.<ref name=ET /> After its addition, the pier was {{Convert|945|ft}} in length.<ref name=Easdown90 /> The jetty was used for [[steamboat|steamer]] services from Blackpool and [[Liverpool]].<ref name=Mawson78 /> The passing of the [[Ribble Navigation and Preston Dock Act 1883]] led to dredging of the river channels to improve access to [[Preston, Lancashire|Preston]] Dock. These changes to the estuary meant that the pier was eventually left on dry land, ruining the resort's steamer trade.<ref name=Mawson78 />

A new entrance building was constructed in 1899 to a design by J. D. Harker.<ref name=Hartwell /><ref name=Shakeshaft176 /> This was built in the [[Tudor Revival architecture|mock Tudor]] style of red brick with imitation [[Timber framing#English tradition|timber framing]].<ref name=Bainbridge112 /> In 1901 work began to enlarge the pier and add a [[Moorish architecture|Moorish]]-style pavilion. It had a seating capacity of 920 and measured {{Convert|84|ft}} by {{Convert|56|ft}}.<ref name=Shakeshaft176 /> The width of the pier was increased to {{Convert|34|ft}}.<ref name=Easdown94 /> These additions were also undertaken by Garlick and Sykes and opened on 2 April 1904.<ref name=Shakeshaft176 />

In 1910, further additions included the Floral Hall, adjacent to the Moorish Pavilion at the seaward end.<ref name=Shakeshaft174 /> The hall—a [[winter garden]] and concert hall—had a seating capacity of 850; it was built of steel and plate glass to a design by Arnold England.<ref name=Easdown94 /><ref name=Pearson />

==Attractions== In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the developers of St Annes were keen to attract a more refined market than Blackpool's working-class excursionists.<ref name=Easdown91 /> The pier was originally intended to provide little more than a sedate promenading facility for the resort's visitors;<ref name=Bainbridge112 /> initially the only other attractions were a band kiosk and a sweet shop.<ref name=Easdown91 />

The pier's Floral Hall hosted concerts and [[music hall]] acts. Its first resident orchestra was Miss Kate Erl and Her Ladies Orchestra.{{#tag:ref|Shakeshaft (2008) spells the name Erl,<ref name=Shakeshaft176 /> Easdown (2009) spells it Ertl<ref name=Easdown95 /> while Harrison (1971) spells it Earl.<ref name=Harrison115 />|group=n}} Subsequent conductors of the pier's orchestra were Clarice Dunnington, William Rees, Lionel Johns and Norman George.<ref name=Easdown95 /> Artists who have performed on the pier include [[Gracie Fields]], [[Leslie Henson]], [[Russ Conway]] and [[George Formby]].<ref name=Harrison117-8 />

In 1954, an amusement arcade was added to the pier; this now occupies three quarters of the length of the structure.<ref name=Mawson78 /><ref name=EH /> Alterations later that decade included the addition of a restaurant and replacement of the decking.<ref name=Mawson78 /> By the 1970s the pier's amusements included [[Miniature golf|crazy golf]], a miniature zoo and live theatre performances.<ref name=Harrison120 />

==Damage and recent history== [[File:Still standing - geograph.org.uk - 427773.jpg|right|thumb|The remains of the pier's landing jetty]]

In 1962 the holdings of the St Anne's on the Sea Land and Building Company (including the pier) were bought by the Amalgamated Investment Company, based in London. Some alterations to the pier were made by the new owners, including the addition of an aviary and a reptile house.<ref name=Easdown95 /> The Floral Hall was refurbished and turned into a Tyrolean-style beer garden.<ref name=Shakeshaft176 />

A centenary concert for the town by violinist [[Yehudi Menuhin]] was held on 7 June 1974 and attended by [[Anne, Princess Royal]].<ref name=Easdown95 /> On the night of 20 July, the Moorish Pavilion (known from 1970 as the Sultan's Palace) was destroyed in a fire.<ref name=Shakeshaft174 /><ref name=Easdown95 />

On 6 December 1976, following the [[liquidation]] of the Amalgamated Investment Company, the pier was bought by the Webb family for £30,000.<ref name=Easdown97 /> They initially planned to repair the fire damage.<ref name=Mawson79 /> The Floral Hall, which had been adjacent to the Moorish Pavilion, was destroyed by fire on 23 July 1982; the pavilions were deemed irreparable and the seaward end of the pier was demolished.<ref name=Easdown97 /> Following protests against the demolition by campaigners, the local council decided that the final {{Convert|150|ft}} should be retained to protect the character of the pier, so the remains of the ruined landing jetty still exist.<ref name=Anderson93 /> The pier, most of which is enclosed, now ends with an uncovered stretch of deck that opens out into two hexagonal platforms with small pavilions and shelters.<ref name=EH /> The length of the remaining intact structure is {{Convert|600|ft}}.<ref name=Mawson79 /> The pier's 21st-century attractions include the amusement arcade, cafés and shops; the seaward end is usually closed to visitors.<ref name=Easdown97 />

[[English Heritage]] designated St Annes Pier a Grade II [[listed building]] on 21 September 1973.<ref name=EH /> It is listed as part of a group of promenade structures that includes a bandstand, a lifeboat monument, a pavilion and two shelters.<ref name=EH /> Lynn F. Pearson (1991) writes that the pier's Moorish Pavilion and Floral Hall were "two of the best [pier pavilions] in design terms".<ref name=Pearson /> According to Chris Mawson and Richard Riding (2008), the pier is "well regarded" for its wrought iron work.<ref name=Mawson79 />

==Visual reporting point== The pier is one of nine visual reporting points (VRPs) for [[general aviation]] aircraft in the local Blackpool airspace.<ref>[https://www.blackpoolairport.com/visiting-by-air/ Visiting by air] – [[Blackpool Airport]]</ref>

==See also== * [[Listed buildings in Saint Anne's on the Sea]]

==References== '''Explanatory notes''' {{Reflist |group=n }}

'''Citations''' {{Reflist |colwidth=30em |refs= <ref name=Easdown87>[[#Easdown|Easdown]], p. 87</ref> <ref name=Easdown88>[[#Easdown|Easdown]], p. 88</ref> <ref name=Mawson78>[[#Mawson|Mawson & Riding]], p. 78</ref> <ref name=Shakeshaft172>[[#Shakeshaft|Shakeshaft]], p. 172</ref> <ref name=Easdown89>[[#Easdown|Easdown]], p. 89</ref> <ref name=Shakeshaft173>[[#Shakeshaft|Shakeshaft]], p. 173</ref> <ref name=Hartwell>[[#Hartwell|Hartwell & Pevsner]], p. 448</ref> <ref name=EH>{{NHLE | desc = St Annes Pier | num = 1196341 | access-date =8 September 2011 | mode = cs2 }}</ref> <ref name=Bainbridge112>[[#Bainbridge|Bainbridge]], p. 112</ref> <ref name=Harrison111>[[#Harrison|Harrison]], p. 111</ref> <ref name=Easdown94>[[#Easdown|Easdown]], p. 94</ref> <ref name=Shakeshaft174>[[#Shakeshaft|Shakeshaft]], p. 174</ref> <ref name=Easdown90>[[#Easdown|Easdown]], p. 90</ref> <ref name=Shakeshaft175>[[#Shakeshaft|Shakeshaft]], p. 175</ref> <ref name=ET>{{Citation | last = Dunkerley | first = Paul | title = St Annes Pier | work = Engineering Timelines | url = http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=601 | access-date =8 September 2011 }}</ref> <ref name=Shakeshaft176>[[#Shakeshaft|Shakeshaft]], p. 176</ref> <ref name=Easdown91>[[#Easdown|Easdown]], p. 91</ref> <ref name=Easdown95>[[#Easdown|Easdown]], p. 95</ref> <ref name=Harrison115>[[#Harrison|Harrison]], p. 115</ref> <ref name=Harrison117-8>[[#Harrison|Harrison]], pp. 117–118</ref> <ref name=Harrison120>[[#Harrison|Harrison]], p. 120</ref> <ref name=Easdown97>[[#Easdown|Easdown]], p. 97</ref> <ref name=Mawson79>[[#Mawson|Mawson & Riding]], p. 79</ref> <ref name=Pearson>[[#Pearson|Pearson]], p. 99</ref> <ref name=Anderson93>[[#Anderson|Anderson & Dale]], p. 93</ref> }} '''Bibliography''' {{Refbegin}} *{{Citation | last1 = Anderson | first1 = Simon H. | last2 = Dale | first2 = Antony | title = Seaside Piers | publisher = [[B.T. Batsford]] | year = 1977 | isbn = 0-7134-0242-3 | ref = Anderson}} *{{Citation | last = Bainbridge | first = Cyril | title = Pavilions on the Sea: A History of the Seaside Pleasure Pier | publisher = R. Hale | year = 1986 | isbn = 0-7090-2790-7 | ref = Bainbridge}} *{{Citation | last = Easdown | first = Martin | title = Lancashire's Seaside Piers | publisher = Wharncliffe Books | year = 2009 | isbn = 978-1-84563-093-5 | ref = Easdown}} *{{Citation | last = Harrison | first = Gabriel | title = Rage of Sand: The Story of the Men Who Built Their Own Seaside Town | publisher = Benn | year = 1971 | isbn = 0-510-27118-9 | ref = Harrison}} *{{Citation | last1 = Hartwell | first1 = Clare | last2 = Pevsner | first2 = Nikolaus | author2-link = Nikolaus Pevsner | title = [[Pevsner Architectural Guides|Lancashire: North]] | publisher = [[Yale University Press]] | location = New Haven and London | year = 2009 | orig-year = 1969 | isbn = 978-0-300-12667-9 | ref = Hartwell}} *{{Citation | last1 = Mawson | first1 = Chris | last2 = Riding | first2 = Richard | title = British Seaside Piers | publisher = [[Ian Allan Publishing]] | year = 2008 | isbn = 978-0-7110-3251-4 | ref = Mawson}} *{{Citation | last = Pearson | first = Lynn F. | title = The People's Palaces: The Story of the Seaside Pleasure Buildings of 1870-1914 | publisher = Barracuda | year = 1991 | isbn = 0-86023-455-X | ref = Pearson}} *{{Citation | last = Shakeshaft | first = Peter | title = St Annes on the Sea: A History | publisher = Carnegie Publishing | year = 2008 | isbn = 978-1-85936-159-7 | ref = Shakeshaft}} {{Refend}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} *[https://archive.today/20121225032807/http://www.piers.org.uk/pierpages/NPSstannes.html St Annes Pier] at the [[National Piers Society]] website

[[Category:Transport infrastructure completed in 1885]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in the Borough of Fylde]] [[Category:Grade II listed buildings in Lancashire]] [[Category:Piers in Lancashire]] [[Category:St Annes on the Sea]]