A £50,000 appeal for the refurbishment of the Grade II listed Yarmouth Harbour pier is underway.

The pier needs 54 piles to be replaced no later than 2018. Its current piles have been eaten away by shipworm and gribble.

The pier was originally built in 1875 and is reputed to be the longest all wooden pier in the UK. Its Grade II listed status means there are strict rules on its use and maintenance.

The timber used for the pier piles is “Greenheart”, which is one of the hardest woods available and can only be sourced from Guyana. The pier is currently used by promenaders, anglers, and for occasional calls by passenger vessels including the paddle steamer Waverley.

The Waverley paddle steamer at Yarmouth Harbour Pier

The work to the pier is likely to cost in the order of £600,000. Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners have applied for a Heritage Lottery Fund grant to help with the cost of the repairs, but may not be successful, and will not gain 100% funding.

Alan Titchmarsh, who has once again agreed to be the Patron for the Appeal said :
‘I’m delighted to have been asked by Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners to be Patron of the Pier Appeal once again.

‘We aim to raise £50,000 towards the refurbishment of this unique Grade II listed structure which has been a landmark at the Western end of the Solent for 140 years and cherished by sailors and local residents alike.’

The last significant refurbishment of the Pier took place in 2008 when 50 piles along the length of the Pier were replaced, now the remaining 54 piles, many of which are under the Pier head need replacing.

The work will require the dismantling of the Roundhouse and lifting of all the planks at the Pier head.

The Commissioners are planning a number of events during the next two years to raise awareness about the pier as part of the appeal. Further information will be announced on the Yarmouth Harbour website.