Boscombe Pier has had a chequered history. It was originally built in the 1880s as a wrought iron and timber pier with a modest end platform. In the mid 1920s the original platform was demolished and a much larger in situ concrete platform built for use by paddle steamers. In 1940, as part of coastal anti-invasion precautions, the pier had a section blown out of it. Then came a long road to obtain compensation funds and eventually the pier was rebuilt in composite pre-cast concrete and in situ concrete. The Mermaid Theatre was built off an independent structure threaded through the older existing platform and opened in the mid-1960s on the pier head, first as a skating rink and then turned into an amusement arcade.

The original platform structure started to deteriorate early in its life and was subject to regular major repairs but following a full structural review, access was severely restricted to the platform in the late 1980s. The pier neck itself was closed in 2005. The roof of the theatre partially collapsed and pigeons took up residence.

The contract for the works included the demolition of the existing pier head and theatre, the construction of a new remodelled pier head and refurbishment of the decking, windbreak, handrail and lighting. The aim was to maintain the pier’s original charm and to extend its life by at least another 50 years.

Principal contractor, Carillion Marine, undertook the careful demolition of the theatre and pier head with over 90 piles removed from the sea bed. Jenkins Marine and Williams Marine provided barges and work boats during the project.  Work on the pier carried on throughout the summer season and the public beach remained open while surfers and snorkelers continued to swim in the nearby waves. Safety barriers kept people away from the worksite while beach traffic was channelled through a temporary pipe “tunnel” below the pier.

For durability and ease of construction, a pre-cast concrete frame supporting a new timber deck was chosen for the new pier head. The beams of the pier head are supported on steel tubular piles encased in concrete sleeves. Tropical hardwoods from sustainable forests were used for the new timber deck to the neck and platform.

Gifford designed a phased construction schedule so that temporary cells of beams were created and stitched together with adjustable steel connections that would be stable immediately even in the event of storms. This was a key factor in the design and build plans which addressed weather risk, provided ease of construction, offered a durable solution and maintained the aesthetics of the original pier.