Sefton Council has confirmed it has remobilised the main contractor to deliver repair and refurbishment work on Southport Pier.

AE Yates has been engaged by the authority to carry out early contractor design and further survey work. The firm had previously supported the scheme under a pre-construction services agreement.

This preparatory package, worth around £300,000, will be funded by Sefton Council ahead of the anticipated award of Government funding for the full project.

AE Yates has already undertaken investigations, including detailed examinations of the pier's steel structure, positioning the company to deliver the principal works once Government funding is confirmed.

A comprehensive restoration of the unsafe structure — closed since December 2022 for health and safety reasons — is planned via a £20 million investment from the UK Government's Growth Mission Fund, subject to the business case being approved.

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The Grade II-listed landmark, the second longest in Britain, spans 3,600ft and offers sweeping views of Marine Lake, the Promenade and the beach.

Leader of Sefton Council, Cllr Marion Atkinson, said: "The further appointment of AE Yates to undertake preparatory work builds on their involvement to date in the project, and the Council's investment in these works helps us ensure readiness for start on site once funding is secured.

"They have an exemplary track record of working on large scale refurbishment projects and their detailed exploratory work on the Pier's steel structure was invaluable in setting out the sheer scale of challenge we have faced to restore the Pier.

"I have repeatedly said that as soon as we secure the funding, we will be ready to start work on the Pier. Everything is in place, including vital legal requirements such as listed building consent, and this appointment keeps us moving and ready to start as soon as funding is confirmed. This further demonstrates the council commitment to the Pier.

"Consultation has also taken place with Historic England, the Southport Pier Trust, and the Pier Society, ensuring the works fully respect the pier's historic significance.

"I am grateful to the Government for recognising the importance of Southport Pier.

"We are awaiting further feedback and are, of course hopeful of a positive outcome on the grant funding ask.

"This funding will allow us to deliver a safe, sustainable and significant restoration that will benefit generations to come."