Two of Blackpool’s historic piers together with the longest pier in Wales, at Llandudno, are for sale in a move that could fetch as much as £12.6m.
The landmarks, owned by the attraction operator Cuerden Leisure, are on the market with guide prices of £4.8m for Blackpool Central Pier, £3.3m for Blackpool South Pier and £4.5m for the property at Llandudno.
The piers were all built in the 19th century using cast iron piles, steel frames and wooden decking, and all house traditional seaside features including promenades, amusement arcades and funfair rides.
Blackpool Central Pier is perhaps best known for its 33-metre-high Ferris wheel, added in 1990. Blackpool South Pier, which also features rides, was originally known as Victoria Pier and was rebuilt during the 1950s and 60s after being destroyed by several fires.
Llandudno Pier, known as the Queen of Welsh Piers, is almost 2,300 feet long and has been used in the shooting of various films and television series.
Blackpool’s North Pier, the oldest and, at 1,650 feet, longest of Blackpool’s three piers, is not part of the sale. Built in the 1860s, it was sold by Cuerden division Six Piers in 2011 to Blackpool family firm Sedgwick’s (owner of the ferris wheel on Central Pier), which vowed to restore the pier to its former Victorian look and scrap entrance tolls. It was badly damaged in storms in December 2013, just months after celebrating its 150th anniversary, but has since been repaired.
St John Stott, director at Cuerden Leisure, described the three other piers as “jewels in the crown of the UK’s coastline”. They are for sale either individually or as a group.
Annual concession agreements on each of the piers together generate an income of more than £1.6m a year.
Richard Baldwin, director of Bilfinger GVA, the property firm handling the sale, said: “These piers are truly iconic structures, having been popular visitor attractions in two of the UK’s best known resorts for over a century.
“Each pier is being offered for sale freehold, subject to the various concession agreements in place. As they are profitable attractions we’re confident this sale will attract major interest.”
He said other pier sales have received interest from a range of leisure operators, entrepreneurs and investors looking to diversify their portfolios. He believes the piers are likely to go to a domestic buyer due to the operational expertise needed.
