The Chain Pier, built in 1823, proved to be a very popular attraction on the south coast and it is this popularity which prompted a group of local investors to consider the possibility of another pier being built further along the coastline.
These investors hired the services of an experienced pier engineer, Eugenius Birch, who designed a new pier to be sited at the west end of Brighton. This undertaking lasted 3 years and opened to the public with great festivities on October 6th, 1866.
To deter the poorer classes from entering, a toll of 2d (two pennies) was
levied. Originally named the 'New Pier', because of it's position it soon
became known as the 'West Pier'. It quickly became very popular with the
gentry and it was the place to see and be seen. Early photographs show people
walking up and down in all their finery, taking in the fresh sea air. During
the year 1875, total ticket receipts numbered 875,000 and this induced the
owners to enlarge the structure at the seaward end and build a large pavilion
upon it.
Early entertainment was provided by Military Bands and kiosks sold refreshments and items such as silhouettes. Seating was provided in the way of deck chairs laid out along the pier length. On completion of the pavilion it was used for concerts for many years and in 1930 was converted into a theatre which still stands today.
In 1902, landing stages were built at the seaward end of the pier and paddle steamers such as the 'Waverly', took people on sea trips along the south coast. Also situated on the pier between the landing stages and the main pier, was a lagoon which was the centre for many aquatic entertainments. There were diving exhibitions by Zoe Brigden and Gladys Powsey, and there was the famous Professor Reddish who used to dive off the pier on his bicycle.
In the 1920s, the dual effects of cheap day return tickets and the coming of holiday pay brought the pier within reach of the working classes and the pier saw a new lease of life after the quiet years of World War One. Things continued apace up until the beginning of the Second World War with the pier proving as popular with the public as when it opened back in 1866. The pier was closed during the Second World War and a large section just south of the Concert Hall was removed to impede a possible invasion by the Germans. After the war, it took several years before the pier re-opened due to the extensive repairs to be made during the neglect of the war years.
The impresarios Tom Arnold and Prince Littler became the new owners and
the theatre was divided into two sections, the top part became the Ocean
Restaurant, and the ground floor a children's entertainment centre.
Maintenance was neglected and in 1965 the pier was bought by A.V.P.Industries, the owners of the Metropole Hotel. After buying the pier, they surveyed it and found it to be in such poor condition that they announced they would be seeking permission to demolish the southern end - including the theatre - as they considered it too expensive to maintain. Thus began a long battle to save what was after all the main part of the pier.
When in December 1974 the Council's Policy and Resources Committee recommended
that the Council should agree to demolition there was an outcry. A petition
with 5000 signatures was presented to the full Council on 2nd January 1975,
as a result of which the Council deferred a decision on the matter.
Thus began a long campaign lasting 21 years to find the money to restore the pier. The pier became a Grade 1 listed building in 1982, and in 1984 was bought by the Brighton West Pier Trust. Twelve years later, in August 1996, the Trust was assured of an initial grant of £1 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund and repairs began in earnest at last.
Although there is at present no time scale on the project that can be given any precise date as to the completion of the restoration. The works are continuing apace and the results can be seen if you take a stroll along the promenade. Decking at the shoreward end has been repaired and works are continuing making sure the pier is safe to work on before the upper restoration works can begin.