TRADERS, tourists and locals have hit out at the decision to keep one of the country's longest piers closed for the summer.
Southport Pier, a 3,600 feet Victorian gem, normally throngs with day trippers during the town's summer season.
The pier, which features cafes and a Peaky Blinders era amusement arcade, offers stunning views of the Lancashire coastline with Blackpool Tower shimmering across the sands.
But this summer, the famous pier is closed as the council carries out a health and safety assessment of the structure.
Southport Pier Pavilion, which ran a café and an arcade, hit out at the decision to shut down the attraction.
The owners posted a message on Facebook which read : "We are, as you can all imagine, very frustrated with this and have received zero financial help as yet.
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"Our business just stopped with zero days' notice, our stock went to ruin and our lives and that of our amazing staff paused.
"Some staff have literally had breakdowns because of this. It’s like lock down all over again but with no help."
Joy Bury, who runs a joke shop in the town centre, said: "I just can't believe the pier is closed for the summer. It's so very disappointing."
Joy, who has run the Neville Street shop since the 1980s, said the closure was "embarrassing" for the seaside town.
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Mark and Siobhan Hewitt , from Essex, were in Merseyside for Eurovision but wanted to see Southport's famous pier.
Mark said: "We have the world's longest pier at Southend-on-Sea but wanted to see Southport too. It's a bit of shame to be honest with you that it's closed. How very strange."
Robert Kelly, who visits Southport a few times a week to walk his Alsation, said: "I have been coming here since I was a little boy with my dad.
"I would normally go on the pier but can't now. Not heard a thing as to why its closed."
Scott Mooney, who lives near Southport, said he understood the decision.
Mr Mooney, 35, said: "If there are health and safety concerns the council are right to close it. It's such an old building. Safety comes first."
An ice-cream vendor who asked not be named said: "It's an absolute joke. We were battered during lockdown and now we are back to normal.
"Then they close the pier. It's the jewel in Southport's crown with stunning views of the coast. I heard the lad who runs the cafe on the pier is pulling his hair out. What a nightmare."
Peter Crompton, who worked on the pier for years, said: "It's the second longest pier in the country and the focal point of the town.
"It defined the town along with the fairground. People came to Southport to go on the fair and walk the pier."
"It must be devastating for the traders who were on the pier, such as the cafes and amusement arcade.
"In my view the pier has not had enough investment and protection from the elements over the years.
"Now we are paying the price. I appreciate there have been cut backs in spending but it should have received more care.
"I just don't think we are moving forward as a town. I appreciate times have changed with more overseas holidays but Southport should be a classic resort town."
Southport MP Damien Moore said to The Sun: "It is unacceptable that Sefton Council remains content for Southport Pier to remain closed over key trading periods in 2023, following previous Council-approved closures over the Easter Weekend and school holidays.
" Our town's tourist-based economy will be further impacted by the Council's extended closure of the pier over the upcoming summer period.
"I have written to the Council on several occasions, and I urge them to provide my constituents with an update on a timescale for the reopening of the pier, transparency on the security of the pier's future, and information on potential compensation to business owners who have been unable to trade as a direct result of this closure.
"The Labour Council owe it to hardworking business owners in Southport to provide the clarity over when this restriction on their businesses will be lifted."
A landlord who asked not to be named told The Sun that Sefton Council had done their best to invest in the town over recent years.
The businessman said the council had just announced plans for the Marine Lake Events Centre which would boost the town.
A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: "As previously stated the survey being carried out on Southport Pier involves a thorough and intrusive assessment of the 3,600ft structure.
"Due to the detailed nature of this assessment and the complexity of Southport Pier's structure, the survey will take time to complete.
"However we will update both business owners directly and the public through our official communication channels as soon as possible.
"We appreciate this is a frustrating time for everyone but health and safety remains our priority."
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