The new visitor centre under construction at historic Clevedon Pier reached a significant milestone this week as regional construction company Beard installed glass panels into the walls and ceiling of the centre’s restaurant and tea room.
Beard is working with Bristol-based O’LearyGoss Architects on the £1.8m scheme. The Swindon-based firm is also consulting closely with the Clevedon Pier and Heritage Trust to ensure the historic landmark – which opened in 1869 and is the UK’s only operating Grade I-listed seaside pier – is protected.
The glass tea room, which emerges from the existing ramp linking the pier to land, will offer visitors stunning sea views. The centre, made up of two floors set underground using the existing stone walls and a decked area on the roof, will include toilet facilities and an education and meeting space, all in a modern building which is set down into the ramp.
Beard director Marc Bayley said: “We are thrilled to have reached the stage where we are fitting the glass panels into the tea room of the new visitor’s centre.
“The view of the ocean scenery from the modern eatery will provide a beautiful backdrop for up to 50 visitors while they enjoy lunch or afternoon tea, with space for another 15 to 20 to be seated outside. It will be the perfect accompaniment to the new enhanced visitor’s facility that is essential to helping Clevedon Pier continue to thrive as a tourist attraction.
“It’s been a pleasure to work with our construction and design partners on this project and we look forward to seeing it completed in the coming months.”
The visitor centre, which is being funded by a number of sources including the Coastal Community Fund, the Heritage Lottery Fund and a Community Share, is due to be completed in April ready for this summer’s tourist season.
Clevedon Pier and Heritage Trust chairman Simon Talbot-Ponsonby said: “We are delighted that we are now at the point where these key elements of our stunning new building are being lifted into place as we approach the completion of this challenging construction project. The people of Clevedon have been watching the building emerge with mounting excitement and can’t wait to be able to experience it for themselves.”
Pictured: Artist’s impressions of the new visitor centre on Clevedon Pier. Images courtesy of O’LearyGoss
