Acting on behalf of owners Stephen and Antonia Bournes, Christie + Co is marketing the freehold of the award-winning Southwold Pier, one of the finest examples of a pier to be found in the British Isles, with offers in region of £6 million sought.
Planning permission has been granted to develop a luxury five-storey, 30-bedroom hotel on the pier, which would be the first of its kind in the country and greatly enhance Southwold’s room stock in the upscale sector. The new development will also include a new catering kitchen, office and staff facilities.
Originally built in 1900, a major refurbishment programme was started in 1999 in order to rebuild the pier. The refurbishment was completed two years later, bringing the pier to a total length of 623 feet (190 m).
Attracting thousands of visitors a year, the pier is home to numerous restaurant businesses: the Promenade Café; the Broadwalk Restaurant; the Clockhouse Brasserie — and retail outlets: the Treasure Chest; Seaweed & Salt; and the Mermaids & Pirates children’s store.
Currently boasting two arcades and a collection of modern coin-operated novelty machines designed and constructed by the inventor Tim Hunkin, the pier was named Best Seaside Attraction 2007 by Coast Magazine, and was awarded the prestigious title of Best Tourism Experience 2008 in the six counties that comprise the East of England, and the Best Large Attraction 2009 by Choose Suffolk.
The length of the pier also allows it to accommodate visits by Britain’s only surviving sea-going steam passenger ship, the P.S.Waverley paddle steamer and its sister ship the M.V.Balmoral.
Stephen Bournes, who has owned the pier since 2005, said: “We have been striving for three years to acquire planning permission for the new development, which will validate the existing pier structure by providing a new ‘art deco’ building of merit. I feel confident that the foundation stones are well set for the Pier to continue in a positive way forward that complements the style that the town of Southwold has always had. We will leave the Pier with great sadness. We have enjoyed this wonderful opportunity and have become very fond of all our staff.”
Tim Gooding, Director at Christie + Co, said: “Southwold is an exceptional location and a highly profitable business and hotel opportunity such as this has very rarely been available. This, coupled with the fact that the eastern region is becoming one of the most sought after leisure destinations in the UK, will generate some early interest in the Pier, which represents one of the most iconic businesses along the Suffolk Heritage Coast.”