The demolition of Redcar Pier: December 1980 - January 1981

 

The stump of Redcar pier, a hen-house on stilts, was finally demolished during the winter of 1980-81. Back then, it was a case of good-riddance to an eyesore but, in retrospect, it seems that the demolition of the pier was the beginning of the end.

 

The stretch of sea-front where the pier once stood now looks bare and devoid of character. It was ugly and decrepit but it was a pier and a landmark. Will the new "vertical pier" ever attain the status of the old? I doubt it.

 

A Facebook group, The Redcar Pier Association, is trying to raise money to build a new pier. This seems a worthy cause - if a tad ambitious - but, as is pointed out, the original pier was built by public subscription, so why not again?

 

Full set of historical photos for sale