Situated at the southern end of Regency Square the West Pier is one of only two Grade I listed piers in the UK, the other is at Clevedon. Now a sad old lady of the sea after years of being allowed to fall into disrepair and pounding by the elements it is planned to restore it to its former splendour at a cost in excess of £30 million. When first opened in 1866 it had cost £28,000 to build.

Designed by the doyen of pier engineers, Eugenius Birch of Westminster, built between 1863-1866 by the Brighton West Pier Company, the pier was originally built as a simple promenade but later acquired a bandstand, then a theatre, and later still a sumptuous 1,400-seat concert hall. When built local residents complained that the pier spoiled their views of the sea.

In its 1920s heyday the pier had its own resident orchestra (Elgar had conducted it). The theatre presented plays, pantomimes and ballets all year round.

By 1970, the owners of the pier were seaking to demolish part of the structure. The pier was listed to protect it, but the head of the pier was sealed off as dangerous. The pier was closed completely to the public in 1975, and has been in decline ever since.

There have been several plans to restore the Pier, and it became the only Grade I listed pier in the country in 1982. Some basic restoration work has been completed, but none of the development schemes have prevented the continuing decay of the pier. A kiosk fell into the sea in 1984, and the pier has been closed to tours on safety grounds.

In December 2002, the concert hall slumped into the sea when a temporary walkway collapsed. The fire on the morning of March 28 2003 completly engulfed the southern end of the pier.Due to the location it was not possible to attempt to control the fire.

A second fire broke out in the early hours of Sunday May 11 2003, which continued to burn throughout the next day, destroying what was left of the pier and leaving only the framework.

On June 23 2004 high winds and heavy seas brought about the collapse of more of the frame.