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Pier Bandstand Weymouth is an Art Deco bandstand on the shore of Weymouth Bay in Dorset, England. Built between 1938 and 1939, the bulk of the structure was demolished in 1986, leaving the landward entrance building, which houses an Italian restaurant, amusement arcade and gift shop, as the only surviving part.

History

The Pier Bandstand was built for the Weymouth Corporation between 1938 and 1939 for a cost of £35,000.^[1] Weymouth Town Council resolved to "construct a new bandstand and concert enclosure on the sea front" in June 1936.^[2] An open competition was launched for its design and the plans of V. J. Wenning of London were selected in May 1937 from a total twenty-six entries.^[3] The first pile was driven on 18 March 1938 and the opening ceremony for the completed structure was performed by the Mayor of Weymouth, J. T. Goddard, on 25 May 1939.^[1]

The Pier Bandstand was able to seat 2,400 people, with approximately 800 seats under cover, and the bandstand itself had space for 50 performers, with dressing rooms behind. A 30 foot wide staircase provided access to the main deck, which was flanked on both sides by glazed shelters, and there was also an outer promenade and a café with accommodation for 150 people.^[1] The structure extended 200 feet seawards and was built of reinforced concrete on piles. Overall, 3,050 metric tons (3,000 long tons) of concrete, 180 metric tons (180 long tons) of steel, 8.8 kilometres (5 mi) of electrical conduit, 750 metres (2,500 ft) of neon tubing and 1,200 light bulbs were used during the course of construction. The general contractors were Christiani & Nielson Ltd of London, the consulting engineers were L. G. Mouchel & Partners Ltd of London, and F. W. Hill (Bognor Regis) Ltd was responsible for general finishings.^[1]

Though the Pier Bandstand gained some criticism for its intruding visual impact along the bay, it became one of Weymouth's most popular entertainment centres and hosted many events from dances, concerts, wrestling, roller skating to the Miss Weymouth Bathing Beauty Contests. During the 1960s, as its popularity declined, the Pier Bandstand was redesigned to house an amusement arcade, rides, and a restaurant.^[4]^[5] The work was completed in 1967 and included extensive repairs to the structure's reinforced concrete.^[6]^[7] In 1979, the pier underwent a £50,000 refit, which included the installation of new arcade machines, mini dodgems, an inflatable castle and radio-controlled boats.^[8]

Demolition (1986) and aftermath

In 1985, the pier was closed to the public after it was declared unsafe.^[9] Structural reports identified that the legs of the pier had suffered severe deterioration and "could not be expected to carry the weight of the platform much longer".^[4] With an estimated £250,000 renovation cost considered unviable,^[10]^[4] a decision was made to demolish the pier using explosives at a cost of £33,264.^[11] The contractor for the scheme was Dismantling & Engineering Ltd of Halesowen.^[12]

Demolition work concentrated around the pier's midsection began on 25 March 1986, in order to separate the landward entrance building from the seaward end of the structure. The entrance building, which contained a restaurant and sales kiosks, was to be retained as part of the scheme.^[4] A national competition was launched to find the individual who would 'press the button' to demolish the seaward end and its building, which was won by two schoolgirl sisters from Birmingham. The event was carried out on 4 May 1986 and attracted thousands of spectators.^[10]

The Sea Palace Chinese Restaurant was officially opened on the first floor of the refurbished landward building in July 2002.^[13] It was replaced by the Italian restaurant Al Molo in 2015 and, in turn, by another Italian restaurant, Oliveto, under new ownership, in 2023.^[14]^[15] An amusement arcade and gift shop is located within its ground level kiosks.

Redevelopment plans

As part of the regeneration of Weymouth and Portland, it was decided in 2007 that Weymouth's Esplanade would be redeveloped in time for the 2012 Olympic Games. The scheme included plans for the restoration and extension of the bandstand, while the exterior Art Deco features and symmetry would be restored.^[16] 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.^[17]^[18] However, the plans collapsed after the South West Regional Development Agency withdrew its £6.6 million funding in 2009.^[19]