Part of a long term project to photograph all of the piers still standing (and some that are not) around the coast of the UK.
Despite the fall in popularity of holidaying in the UK, piers still hold a place in peoples hearts. Whenever another is tragically lost to fire or the ravages of the sea there is always media attention, until the interest fades again and it is left to a few devoted groups to fight for their survival.
The pier 'pleasure palaces' were evolving to accommodate the rapidly expanding working class holiday market of the late nineteenth century. They became not only a promenade to take in the sea air but also variety and music halls as well as latter day theme parks , aquariums, rollercoasters and exhibition halls.
Many piers had to adapt not just to natural disasters but also to the ever changing market of the 60's and 70's. Many lost their Victorian charm once the slot machines and bowling ally took over, but all of these incarnations contribute to the charm of these wonderful pieces of architecture.