The UK’s piers are under serious threat with storms bashing the structures and economic struggles decimating the operator’s offerings. But Worthing council has shown a bit of budgetary flexibility to fund repairs to the attraction.
Worthing Borough Council has confirmed plans to redirect £670,000 allocated for new fire safety measures on Worthing Pier into major structural repairs, in order to secure the long-term future of the attraction.
According to the authority, the proposed sprinkler scheme is not deemed essential, however permanent structural repairs are necessary to address extensive storm damage first identified in October 2024.
“The funding for the pier will come from our capital investment programme, including the use of funds already assigned to pier maintenance work,” said a council spokesperson. “The recommendation to members is to transfer funds currently in the budget for 2025/26 for an automatic sprinkler system for the Southern Pavilion.”
“The funds would instead be used to support the pier fix work. We’ve installed a sprinkler system in the Southern Pavilion which the fire service can operate manually in the event of a fire. As there is therefore fire protection in place for the building, we’ve postponed the installation of an automatic system to complete the pier repair as a priority.”
The £668,000 set aside for the system forms part of a £900,000 funding package agreed for pier investment last year, with the remaining £275,000 already approved as part of the council’s 2026/27 budget.
Originally published on Coinslot on February 16, 2026. Republished with permission.