One of England’s oldest and most iconic piers has been sold as its new owners vow to transform and restore the 1,410ft seaside structure with a £10m investment. Last August, the Daily Express told how Blackpool’s 162 year-old North Pier – which opened in 1863 and is one of the seaside town’s three famous piers – was up for sale.
It was put up for sale last summer by the Sedgwick family, which owns the town’s other two piers – the Central and South piers, opened in 1868 and 1893 respectively. Now the Grade II-listed Victorian structure has been snapped up by Okken Limited, a company registered in London.
Okken said it would refurbish the pier, improve the theatre and create new media, event spaces and a bar at the entrance.
North Pier, which predates the resort’s tower by 31 years, was built with a wooden deck above a substructure of cast iron girders.
It currently employs 10 full-time, three part-time, and approximately 40 seasonal staff.
It also includes the Joe Longthorne Theatre, an amusement arcade, a two-tier Victorian carousel, an electric train and a variety of cafes, takeaways and bars.
Okken said its plans aim to secure the pier’s long‑term future as a leading Blackpool attraction. The current management team will stay in place, with all events and entertainment continuing as normal this year.
Paul Cooper from Okken said the aim is to “restore and bring the pier back to its very best” while adding new experiences.
He added: “North Pier is a piece of living history, and it is a privilege to take on its care. Our commitment is simple: to invest, to restore, and to bring this wonderful pier back to its very best.”
Okken said further phases of investment were expected to be announced in the coming months.