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Pier Bandstand Weymouth is an
The Pier Bandstand was built in 1938-39 for a cost of £35,000, to the designs of V.J. Wenning, who had won the architectural competition for the bandstand's design. Wenning's plans were one of twenty-six entries considered. The builder, Christiani Neilson, employed local labour on the construction work, which began in January 1938. The bandstand was officially opened on 25 May 1939 by J.T. Goddard, the Mayor of Weymouth. Overall, of concrete, of steel, of electrical conduit, of neon tubing and 1,200 light bulbs were used during the course of construction.
The Pier Bandstand was designed with the bandstand extending out seaward from a two-storey building adjoining the promenade. The seaward section was able to seat 2,400 people, however only 800 of these seats were sheltered as the centre of the bandstand was roofless. Though the Pier Bandstand had gained some criticism for its intruding visual impact along the bay, it quickly became a popular attraction and was used to host many events from dances, concerts, wrestling, roller skating to the Miss Weymouth Bathing Beauty Contests. During the 1960s, the bandstand's promenade building was redesigned. It went on to house an amusement arcade and restaurant.
By the 1980s, the seaward end of the bandstand was in need of major repair to maintain the stability of the structure. With
Pier Bandstand Weymouth is an Art Deco
Art Deco, short for the French ''Arts Décoratifs'', and sometimes just called Deco, is a style of visual arts, architecture, and product design, that first appeared in France in the 1910s (just before World War I), and flourished in the Unite ...
bandstand
A bandstand (sometimes music kiosk) is a circular, semicircular or polygonal structure set in a park, garden, pier, or indoor space, designed to accommodate musical bands performing concerts. A simple construction, it both creates an orname ...
on the shore of Weymouth Bay
Weymouth Bay is a sheltered bay on the south coast of England, in Dorset. It is protected from erosion by Chesil Beach and the Isle of Portland, and includes several beaches, notably Weymouth Beach, a gently curving arc of golden sand which str ...
in Dorset
Dorset ( ; archaically: Dorsetshire , ) is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The ceremonial county comprises the unitary authority areas of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and Dorset (unitary authority), Dors ...
, England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
.
History
The Pier Bandstand was built in 1938-39 for a cost of £35,000, to the designs of V.J. Wenning, who had won the architectural competition for the bandstand's design. Wenning's plans were one of twenty-six entries considered. The builder, Christiani Neilson, employed local labour on the construction work, which began in January 1938. The bandstand was officially opened on 25 May 1939 by J.T. Goddard, the Mayor of Weymouth. Overall, of concrete, of steel, of electrical conduit, of neon tubing and 1,200 light bulbs were used during the course of construction.
The Pier Bandstand was designed with the bandstand extending out seaward from a two-storey building adjoining the promenade. The seaward section was able to seat 2,400 people, however only 800 of these seats were sheltered as the centre of the bandstand was roofless. Though the Pier Bandstand had gained some criticism for its intruding visual impact along the bay, it quickly became a popular attraction and was used to host many events from dances, concerts, wrestling, roller skating to the Miss Weymouth Bathing Beauty Contests. During the 1960s, the bandstand's promenade building was redesigned. It went on to house an amusement arcade and restaurant.
By the 1980s, the seaward end of the bandstand was in need of major repair to maintain the stability of the structure. With Weymouth & Portland Borough Council
Weymouth and Portland was a local government district and borough in Dorset, England. It consisted of the resort of Weymouth and the Isle of Portland, and includes the areas of Wyke Regis, Preston, Melcombe Regis, Upwey, Broadwey, Southill ...
facing £300,000 in repair costs, the cheaper alternative of demolishing the bandstand was approved for a cost of £30,000. A national competition was launched to find the individual who would 'press the button' to demolish it, which was won by two schoolgirls from Birmingham. The bandstand was demolished on 4 May 1986, which drew a large crowd of spectators. As a result the structure is deemed to be a "lost" pier by some noted authorities The work left only the landward building standing, which was later refurbished. The Sea Palace Chinese Restaurant was officially opened in the building in July 2002. Today, the Pier Bandstand houses the Italian restaurant Al Molo, along with an amusement arcade and gift shop within its ground level kiosks.
Redevelopment plans
As part of theregeneration
Regeneration may refer to:
Science and technology
* Regeneration (biology), the ability to recreate lost or damaged cells, tissues, organs and limbs
* Regeneration (ecology), the ability of ecosystems to regenerate biomass, using photosynthesis
...
of Weymouth and Portland, it was decided in 2007 that Weymouth's Esplanade
An esplanade or promenade is a long, open, level area, usually next to a river or large body of water, where people may walk. The historical definition of ''esplanade'' was a large, open, level area outside fortress or city walls to provide cle ...
would be redeveloped in time for the 2012 Olympic Games
The 2012 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XXX Olympiad and also known as London 2012) was an international multi-sport event held from 27 July to 12 August 2012 in London, England, United Kingdom. The first event, the ...
. The scheme included plans for the restoration and extension of the bandstand, while the exterior Art Deco
Art Deco, short for the French ''Arts Décoratifs'', and sometimes just called Deco, is a style of visual arts, architecture, and product design, that first appeared in France in the 1910s (just before World War I), and flourished in the Unite ...
features and symmetry would be restored. In addition, the area in front of the bandstand was to be redesigned into a 1930s-styled square, acting as the northern gateway to Weymouth Esplanade. However, the plans collapsed after the South West Regional Development Agency withdrew its £6.6 million funding in 2009.
See also
*The Esplanade (Weymouth)
The Esplanade is a wide walkway and street on the seafront at Weymouth, Dorset on the south coast of England.
Overview
The Esplanade is immediately next to the sandy Weymouth Beach. To the south at the end of the Esplanade are Weymout ...
* Weymouth Pier
Weymouth Pier is a peninsula between Weymouth Harbour and Weymouth Beach, in Dorset, England. It was intended to extend Weymouth's esplanade, and consists of a theatre, Weymouth Pavilion; pleasure pier; car parking and a cross-channel ferry te ...
References
{{reflist 1939 establishments in England Buildings and structures in Weymouth, Dorset Tourist attractions in Weymouth, Dorset Bandstands in England Art Deco architecture in England Music venues in Dorset