Brighton West Pier - a short history.

This is a film drawn from the video and stills archive held by the West Pier Trust, as well as my own photographs and videos, which I produced for them in 2010. It shows something of the history and sad demise of this beautiful pier.

[@darkestserenity6775]

I have such sweet memories as a girl of Brighton and just seeing that shell brought them flooding back. Remembering my Nan & Grandad taking me to the seaside is one of my favourite things. Thank you 😊

[@MrMrliamo]

It must have such a sad day for Brighton the day that pier went on fire

[@evelinewillow5753]

At only 3 years old I remember standing and watching with my family as it burned down. Even though I had no idea what was going on I remember feeling sad about it. I pestered my parents with so many questions the whole time.

[@missionpassed4584]

All the pleasure this beautiful structure gave to so many people over the years, just for it to be neglected, vandalized and finally burned to a skeleton, what a thank you, its a disgrace.

[@willrexdunn]

Just imagine what an amazing attraction it would have been if they’d restored it and the fired hadn’t happened

[@lawrieflowers8314]

I have fond memories of fishing from the landing stage in the 1960s! And the footage up to 1973 was really good - I don’t think I’ve seen any of it before. But I had to stop then, as after that as it’s just so sad…

[@LucavlogsandgamingOFFICIAL]

I have never seen the pier before the fire but I always had a love for it

[@montyzumazoom1337]

The west pier was the best pier. A very elegant structure, it was a tragedy it wasn't saved.

[@brightonvr1806]

Sitting on the beach in front of west pier watching your video. Wow 🤩 magnificent. Well done, you did it justice!

[@johnbiddal5951]

I used to take my two small Toddlers on the West Pier and later down to the Paddling Pool nearby on the lower Prom. Lived in Kemp Town. West Pier was always better than the Palace Pier for nippers I thought. Palace Pier was always busy with Day Trippers back in the 1960's.

[@melblues3847]

Sadly I was very young when the pier closed. I was always fascinated by its grandeur but never lucky enough to go on it.

[@MarcusTDM]

Rumour has it, the owners of The Palace Pier had something to do with it burning down, as there was interest to restore and reopen the West Pier which would’ve given the Palace Pier competition. Very sad an old building went the way it did.

[@paulhoward1289]

Thats True the palace pier was used as a backup because if the west pier got burned then they would have to rebuild but since they resevred 1 pier that was amazing but it could of been better if it was a replecia

[@lewistaylor5809]

Absolutely love this I can watch it again and again love all the clips and photos and music goes so well with it !!!!

[@zachbaird4717]

I think the concert hall ( the smaller building ) had the saddest history as it was shut down last but it was hanging on the the poles for dear life for more than a year but then it was burned and it fell .

[@tomsaywell1238]

Wow you just made me feel sorry for a building 😔

[@Fizz_studios120]

I wonder why the concert hall fell but not the west pier

[@theultimatehorse]

I’m not from Brighton but a frequent visitor for the past 15 years, I’m now in my early 20’s but have always been fascinated with this pier and the history behind it, the thing I always love from this video is the glowing red signage of “west pier”, it seems to be illuminated in the 90’s section of this video, so I’m guessing the electric was kept on until it’s demise? However I really wished I got to see the pier in it’s entirety and not burnt out skeleton. Such a shame it’s now replaced by that eyesore i360 it seems like the trust was a bit of a sellout, but don’t worry Brightoners, when I become a millionaire I’ll restore this site to its former grandeur and glory ;)

[@paulhoward1289]

Well the Main buliding is still there but... the concert hall was crashed into bits not before the fire ;(

[@paulhoward1289]

It would also take alot of money to rebuild that thing! Its the only resson why i like brighton and because they have a football team that is not the national league

[@vanmantalks]

They done tour's on the west pier in the early 2000's before it burnt down

[@ross8474]

Good music from Mike .Good video s

[@w00df0rd]

Great montage and music, Bryan. Thanks.

[@gwenaellepage4450]

It was such a beautiful construction. Like so many other beautiful piers (Clevedon comes to mind)… We don't have things like that in France. I so wish such gems would be better preserved : this one, the New Brighton tower, Birnbeck pier. So sad…

[@tintobrass532]

Born and bred in Brighton, I remember walking on the pier as a kid. Proper insurance job, easier to burn down than redevelop

[@trevorrandom]

Great footage just mute the volume to really enjoy it!

[@johnmurray3888]

If I could go back in a time machine to revisit certain places, I would take the opportunity to see things that are no longer there. If I was back in New York in 1963 I would skip the Empire State Building and instead visit Pennsylvania Station. If I visted San Francisco in 1965 I would take a look at the Sutro Baths. If I could revisit Brighton in 1972, I would definitely tour the West Pier.

[@johnwheatley5641]

Stuff like this shows how amazing Brighton must have been back in the day. Such a shame the city has gone downhill so badly.

[@angelsone-five7912]

RIP West Pier, the better of the two.

[@bryanmcalley2622]

Many thanks for all the comments since I first published this - the film was put together by me at the request of the West Pier Trust using their archive, which they allowed me to hold whilst I did it. It did the rounds of schools at the time when Trust members went to talk to them. With the emergence of the i360 and the money which came with it, the Trust has gone on to be in a much happier state financially and this film doesn't now see the light of day, as they can afford to pay for professionals!! Oh - and the music is side 2 of Mike Oldfield's "Hergest Ridge" - licensed for use. The trick was to match sequences in the film to the music, which I quite enjoyed doing - it took 5 weeks to produce 12 minutes of film, so I didn't give up my day job!! A very rewarding project though.........

[@scotty87able]

Sid james rode a petrol go kart along the west pier in carry on girls even then (1973) it was in a dangerous state and the pavillion end was already closed

[@OlafProt]

I'm pretty sure I went on the West Pier as a child early 70s, being told by my parents to mind the gaps in the flooring.

[@colinbaker3916]

I haven’t heard Hergest Ridge for a very long time, especially part 2. You’ve cleverly edited a piece that’s around 17 minutes long.

[@wolfon2s]

I first saw the West Pier back in 1992. It was already derelict, however, its sight haunted me forever. I came back several times throughout the years… I always had hope. Sadly the arson attack in 2003 ended it all. I would love to see footage of the pier’s interior prior to its closing in 1975. What a sad story. Thanks for the video.

[@LucavlogsandgamingOFFICIAL]

As I was born 3 years after the fire and was three when the concert hall was removed I didn't know much about the pier but I always wanted to go take a closer look and now even more as I'm making a model of it in my loft

[@zachbaird4717]

Similar age to me then, Loft model sounds so cool, I wish I could have seen it in its heyday.

[@PhilEadie65]

There is some good footage taken on the pier for the TV series Killer Net which was filmed in 1998.

[@rozzyalexa9005]

Truly fascinating video and desperately sad as I always hoped the West Pier might be rebuilt. I'm guessing the music is Mike Oldfield?

[@djjayem100]

I always wonder what it would be like to be on it when it's all derelict and cut off from land. It gives me the biggest feeling of unease.

[@camdenmcandrews]

I believe that the ITV television show, Season 5 Episode 8 "Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan" shows a CGI reconstruction of the West Pier as it appeared in in the mid-1930's. I can't find an authoritative reference to confirm that. Does anyone know?

[@maskmonkeycustompaint]

what a legacy this generation have left from greed and corruption. The Victorians built everything and to last with great infrastructure we will always be very thankful, all we had to do was maintain them. Unfortunately this modern generation only know destruction and how to get rid of the past including the buildings. why did the council sell it? as this was publicly owned, the answer, corruption ,greed and selling their heritage off to the highest bidder. We need to put back buildings like this as well as all the trams no matter what the cost, the Victorians didn't care how much money it took , why should we. otherwise we leave nothing behind to build on.

[@Gals4Xxxk]

The music is terrifying…..

[@jeffsfleet]

Interesting video, but the music is absolutely terrible.

[@milliehastings9904]

That’s Rude

[@doristheslug9609]

1. Rude or not, the music is terrible. 2. Nothing in or about Brighton can be worse than the royal pavilion.

[@dannyboy9709]

Interesting video, but these comments are absolutely terrible.

[@ross8474]

No the Music is Mike Oldfield

[@dannyboy9709]

@@ross8474 Exactly, so it isn’t terrible

[@mrkipling2201]

So what happened to cause the pier to become derelict?? I know about the fire in 2003 but not much of an exact timeline before that.

[@singlecell2498]

Basically neglected until it closed in the 70s

[@Minecraftystuff]

As of 2023, it has been 20 years since the 2 fires on the west pier. April 2003 and May 2003

[@Peter-pv8xx]

Does anyone know if this is where the episode of keeping up appearances was shot or was it gone by 1993.

[@singlecell2498]

It went in 2003

[@leeanucha]

At least they should save a few doors or something. now everything is sank in the sea. What a waste.

[@lukodianfamily7565]

What is the 2003 video called? Of west pier

[@mrmarcrumbleton8300]

@12:16 that mustn't have been taken long before the fire :'(

[@thomaswhite4344]

Was the Brighton Palace Pier there when the West Pier was on fire if it was the fire alarms on would’ve been off set ringing KZbinrs

[@Marshallo.o]

Brighton council should be ashamed of themselves for letting the pier fall into ruin. I hope the same fate does not fall to the currently closed of sections off Madeira Drive.

[@singlecell2498]

Did it have its lights on at night in the 90s?

[@paianis]

Yup.

[@singlecell2498]

Paianni how? And when did they stop? And why ?

[@paianis]

They probably ran a cable along a temporary bridge used for tours around the structure. I believe the bridge was removed in 2001.

[@singlecell2498]

Paianni. Thanks

[@mrmarcrumbleton8300]

no the bridge collapsed in a storm at the end of 2002

[@nightmareandfriends6258]

Why in the world did they make another version of it instead of the goddamn same model? Would of loved it seeing it up close...unfortunately I couldn’t it burnt down before I went to England..so sad..I want to restore it so bad but everything is in the sea the burnt pier is just sitting there pointlessly I so want to know what the cause of the fire was...but nobody knows

[@mrmarcrumbleton8300]

@@paulhoward1289 it was no thunderstorm, it was said to be an arson attack, but I heard it could've also been all the seagull droppings self-combusting

[@paulhoward1289]

I guess your right but although . But they did need a replica!

[@paulhoward1289]

Although if you did see in my other comment one was in denmark!

[@mrmarcrumbleton8300]

@@paulhoward1289 I wish they would build a replica of it somewhere, ideally on Brighton Seafront

[@paulhoward1289]

@@mrmarcrumbleton8300 they are they told me that they are doing a kiosk outside The west puer trust .. although lockdown so maybe another year i suppose??

[@thomaswhite4344]

4:30 that looks like the Brighton Palace Pier lurking in the background KZbinrs

[@river2042]

Wtf are you on about

[@matthewbennett853]

Don't go a lot on your music taste lol . But very sad to see Brighton pier lost

[@Ducks-are-cool1]

What start the fire and also why do they not remove it for safety

[@paulhoward1289]

ducks are cool the fire happend by terror attack and they cant remove it due to it costs millions of money

[@Ducks-are-cool1]

Paul Howard thx

[@paulhoward1289]

ducks are cool no prolem

[@mistofoles]

Wasn't there a club at the far end that featured in the film "QUADROPHENIA" ?

[@paulhoward1289]

No you are thinking of the nightclubs by palace pier.

[@Vilator]

They were going to make the pier bigger until this happens..

[@singlecell2498]

Na just re build it

[@user-pt3tf1dz5h]

The music is from???

[@dannyboy9709]

Mike Oldfield-Hergest Ridge

[@bryanmcalley5695]

Mike Oldfield’s Hergest Ridge part 2

[@bryanmcalley5695]

Mike Oldfield’s Hergest Ridge part 2

[@bryanmcalley5695]

Mike Oldfield’s Hergest Ridge part 2

[@leedrummond164]

What a blatant insurance job

[@Vilator]

How did this happen!?

[@harrylikecars9880]

Arson Attack

[@tobyharrison147]

Did you know that the west pier was burned because of a arson

[@tamlin2815]

obvious photoshop at the end

[@singlecell2498]

No that legit