The Friends of Bangor Garth Pier (FBGP) are launching an appeal to raise £40,000 to complete the essential work on the substructure of the pier to make it safe and protect it for generations to come.
Bangor Pier is one of only three Grade II* listed piers in the whole of the UK and is of architectural and historical significance as a Victorian gem. It has been beloved by locals and visitors alike for a walk to enjoy the Menai Strait since 1896.
Since 2017, Bangor City Council, who own the pier, has spent £2.2 million on urgent repairs. The unseen substructure beneath the planks is the challenge, it has deteriorated since the 1980s when the last significant renovations took place. Without the work we risk further deterioration on the two sections yet to be completed.
Due to rising costs and inflation, the FBGP, in partnership with Bangor City Council, FBGP are asking for your support to finish the final 2 phases of the work which will future proof the pier.
The £40,000 from the appeal will be matched with funding from Bangor City Council. It will complete the work to make the pier safe and enable it to weather future storms. The work will be completed by November this year, weather permitting.
With the support of the public and local businesses, FBGP are hoping that this incredible structure stands strong for another century for future generations to walk along, fish, paint, propose and dream over the water.
All donations, whether large or small, go directly towards the structural preservation of the pier. All funds will be managed by FBGP a registered charity and will solely be used for repair work. If they exceed their target, surplus funds will go towards future projects including the sandblasting and painting of the pier substructure.
Donations can be made online at GoFundMe, or via the FBGP website or in person at the Entrance Kiosk or FBGP kiosk shop on the pier.
Avril Wayte FBGP Chair, said: “Following our launch as a charity in 2022, Friends of Bangor Garth Pier are very excited to be working now in collaboration with Bangor City Council to raise funds to protect our beautiful pier for the future.
“Although £2.2 million has already been spent on structural repairs to the pier since 2017, 2 sections of the pier still need to be repaired, to keep the pier safe.
“Please help us raise this money by supporting our fundraising campaign – your pier needs you – be part of our pier’s future.
“Let’s protect the pier together. It is a national treasure, a community gem, and a living connection to our past.”
Bangor City Council Director Martin Hanks said: “Bangor City Council are extremely grateful to the Friends to Garth Pier for organising this initiative to match fund the final phases of the structural renovations of Garth Pier. If successful it will allow us to move to complete the Pier structural renovations much sooner. To date the City Council has over £2m on the project, which is now some 80% completed. Once the final two phases have been finished, structurally the Pier’s future will be secured for another 15-20 years.
“Bangor Pier is one of the major attractions of the City and, mainly thanks to the volunteers of the Friends of Garth Pier, a thriving community has developed here. The completion of the structural renovations will ensure that Bangor Pier is a healthy and enjoyable place to visit for many years to come.”
FBGP Patron Aled Jones said: “As a Patron of the Friends of Bangor Garth Pier I fully support their appeal to raise £40,000 ensuring a sustainable future for this iconic heritage structure in the City of Bangor. The pier is very close to my heart as I was born in Bangor and grew up locally, singing in Bangor Cathedral.
“The 2025 appeal means this unique and special place will be enjoyed for generations to come. Even if you can only give a little, it will make a big difference to this wonderful cause.”
FBGP Patron Revd Wynne Roberts ‘Welsh Elvis’ said: “As a child I went to the pier with my parents to go crabbing, as a student, to sit by the closed gates to eat my lunch, gazing at what was a derelict pier.
“Now our pier has become a shining gem within the crown of our city, stretching out not only into the Menai Straits, but into the hearts of so many people. This has happened due to the hard work of our Board of Trustees, volunteers, stallholders and Bangor City Council and its officers.
“One important way in which you can be a part of this, is by supporting our new appeal, so that we can ensure that our pier continues to shine for generations to come.”
Bangor Aberconwy MP Claire Hughes said: “The Friends of Bangor Garth Pier have done an amazing job mobilising the community to support this much-loved, Grade II* listed structure at the heart of the City of Bangor. Please help secure it for future generations to enjoy, and give generously.”
About Friends of Bangor Garth Pier
The Friends of Bangor Garth Pier are a community group and a registered charity (number 1198201) established in March 2022 to work with Bangor City Council, the owners of the pier, to secure a sustainable future for the pier. They have over 60 volunteers who man the entrance kiosk 365 days a year to provide a warm welcome to visitors and who work in the FBGP kiosk gift shop, which supports local artists and where all profits go towards supporting the future of the pier. https://bangorpier.org
