Abandoned Birnbeck pier

Birnbeck Pier is a pier in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, England. It is situated on the Bristol Channel approximately 18 miles (28 km) south west of Bristol. Birnbeck is the only pier in the country which links the mainland to an island just off shore. The pier is currently closed to the public.

The grade II* listed pier was designed by Eugenius Birch and opened in 1867. The gothic toll house and pierhead buildings were designed by local architect Hans Price.

In 2006 the pier was sold to new owners, Manchester company Urban Splash. The people of Weston-super-Mare are waiting to see the company's plans for the future of the pier, the island and its buildings.[6] In 2007 the repair work required was estimated at £4 million.[7]

A competition was launched in August 2007 by new owners Urban Splash, inviting people to submit ideas for the regeneration of the pier and island.

In March 2008 the winners of the design competition were announced. There were 95 entries for the competition from around the world and from these, a shortlist of six was chosen with Levitate Architecture and Design Studio Ltd emerging as the eventual winners, who won £25,000 and will be paid a commission fee for their work. The winning design included a dozen luxury apartments and a 50-room hotel.