Southwold Pier reopens with new owners Amy and Charles Barwick

A pier on the Suffolk coast has officially reopened after a recent takeover by new owners.

Southwold Pier opened on Friday at 11am with Cllr Simon Flunder, town mayor of Southwold, cutting the ribbon followed by a choir performance by the Pop Chorus from Halesworth.

Husband and wife team Charles and Amy Barwick purchased the pier earlier this year and are looking forward to running it as a traditional seaside destination.

Many visitors enjoyed the pier’s attractions after the opening ceremony including The Beach Fish and Chips, The Boardwalk Restaurant, cups of tea and coffee with homemade cakes and arcade amusements.

Amy said: “Charles and I were absolutely thrilled to have the Mayor of Southwold with us on Good Friday to open the pier in time for the 2024 season.

“We would like to say a huge thank you to all of the residents of Southwold and the visitors that came out to see us for the launch and over the Easter weekend.”

The original 810ft Southwold Pier was built in 1900 as a landing platform for the Belle steamships, which carried passengers to seaside destinations from London Bridge.

Following major storms in 1934, 1955 and 1979, the pier was very damaged and reduced down to only 60ft – however, reconstruction works were carried out from 1999 to 2001 to reach its current length of 623ft.

Until now, Southwold Pier was owned by family-owned business Gough Hotels who took on the pier in 2013 and continued to make improvements to Britain’s only 21st Century pier.

The pier will now be open every day from 8am in the Clock House Coffee Shop until 5pm, Monday to Sunday. For more information, visit www.southwoldpier.co.uk.

Town Mayor Cllr Simon Flunder said: “As Mayor of Southwold Town I am extremely pleased on behalf of the council to be asked to open the Southwold Pier by Charles and Amy Barwick, its new owners.

“This iconic pier has been in existence since 1900 and has provided the town’s residents and its visitors much enjoyment over the years. I know it is the new owners’ desire to maintain these traditions.

“They are very committed to provide a total visitor experience including the arcade, excellent café and restaurant offerings, retail shops, under the pier show and the Water clock.

“On behalf of all the community, we wish Charles and Amy all the best in their new venture.”