IT'S A DEAL! KENT PIER WINS COVETED AWARD

Britain’s only post-war pleasure pier at DEAL, which last year celebrated its 50th anniversary, has been named PIER OF THE YEAR 2008, beating CROMER in Norfolk into second place with SOUTHWOLD third. 23 other piers were nominated in the twelfth annual poll of the National Piers Society’s 600 members. Last year’s winner was Southend.

Opened by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1957, this structure is actually the third pier to occupy the same site off the popular Kent resort’s seafront, and the only Kent pier to survive in its entirety (those at Dover, Folkestone, Herne Bay, Margate, Ramsgate and Sheerness all came to a sticky end). The town’s first pier opened in 1838 and lasted just twenty years. Its successor, designed by master pier engineer Eugenius Birch, began operations in 1864 and survived until World War II, when it was destroyed after being hit by the wreck of the Dutch vessel Nora. The new 1,026 ft. long 20th century Council-owned pier was constructed of reinforced concrete decking laid on concrete covered steel joists, at a cost of £250,000. The effect is starker than the elaborate Victorian pleasure piers with their wooden decking and ornate pavilions but very much of its era, being functional but elegant. Extremely popular with anglers it is open to all 363 days a year and offers all-night fishing at weekends. The pier head café offers superb coastal views and has become renowned for its English breakfasts. There is a 3-tiered landing stage but sadly the berthing facilities were damaged in a storm in 1979, since when ships have been unable to call.

Pier owners Dover District Council have invested over £2 million over the last ten years without assistance from the Heritage Lottery Fund (despite a petition signed by 32,000 residents) in repairing the badly corroded steel piles above and below the water level and recoating them with fresh concrete. An 18-ton gantry was installed on tracks at each edge of the pier so that visitors could still walk along it during the engineering operations. In conjunction with the Royal Institute of British Architects a design competition was recently held to come up with a new-look eco-friendly building to replace the existing café and conservatory at the pier head. Work is expected to begin in April. The 50th anniversary celebrations are being delayed in order to allow this project to be completed.

Commenting on the award, which will be presented at the Society’s Annual General Meeting at the Royal Hotel Deal on Saturday 10 May, Nigel Chandler, Supervisor at Deal Pier, said: “We on Deal Pier are delighted to be named 'Pier of the Year'. The people of Deal are rightly proud of their Pier which is the youngest in the country. Thousands of people each year take the opportunity to walk on the water and look back at the great view of Deal seafront. Members of staff on the pier maintain a clean, safe and friendly environment for our visitors. Dover Council and the people of Deal should receive credit for their continued investment. We are about to embark on the demolition of the cafe which is to be replaced with a new, modern building at a cost of £1.4 million. ”

NPS President Gavin Henderson said: “Deal’s pier is a first in many ways...the first to be built after the last war; as the closest to mainland Europe the first that many will encounter, and now first in the hotly contested Pier of the Year...and how happy a coincidence that the award can be made as Deal hosts the National Piers Society's annual gathering. Congratulations to all concerned!”

Press enquiries: Richard Pollard, Property Services Manager, Dover DC tel. 01304 363815 or Tim Phillips (NPS Chairman) tel. 01404 831335