Weston pier one year on

A year ago today the eyes of the world were on Weston-super-Mare as a devastating fire took hold of the resort's Grand Pier.

The column of smoke sent up by the massive blaze could be seen for miles around – and was reported by news services as far away as America, New Zealand and even Kazakhstan.

Now a new pavilion is to rise from the ashes, with co-owners Kerry and Michelle Michael close to appointing a main contractor to oversee its building.

They are also launching a recruitment drive to find the first 250 people to work in the new pavilion when it is due to be finished next year.

The Michaels anticipate the landmark will be open to visitors next summer and are now inviting applications for some senior management posts.

The first managers will start in November carrying out vital roles in the run-up to the pier opening.

A Grand Pier general manager will be the first appointment, who will have overall responsibility for the 21st century pier.

The general manager will start this autumn with the task of recruiting and training the team to run the pier.

Mr Michael said: "We are looking for someone who has got the same enthusiasm and passion for the pier as ourselves.

"With a large staff and huge visitor numbers, it has to be someone who has strong interpersonal skills and is friendly and approachable.

"We need a general manager with a good, sound business background who can handle change, as we expect the pier to be a dynamic and developing attraction for the public.

"Knowledge of the retail and food and beverage sector is essential, but with all the suppliers, customers and fellow staff that the pier will have, dealing with people will be the biggest part of the job."

The new three-floor pavilion will be used as a family entertainment centre, but will also accommodate functions, concerts and other entertainment events.

It will incorporate indoor rides such as dodgems, ghost train, go-carts and a 4D cinema, as well as shops, restaurants and cafes.

The new pier will also include a 90-metre high observation tower with a ride in which visitors are seated in a revolving viewing capsule.

This will transport them to the top and back.

A group food and beverage manager is also being sought to run all the food outlets, including a new Edwardian Tea Room, function room that will cater for weddings and other fast food outlets on the pier.

This manager will also have responsibility for Preview Buffet Bar and The Carvery at Cribbs Causeway, which are also owned by the pier group.

Another vital role to be filled is for a non-food manager/deputy manager to look after the rides, retail outlets, arcades and be responsible for the general housekeeping of the pier, as well as deputising for the general manager.

The pavilion has been designed by Bristol-based Angus Meek architects.

It resembles the old design with its traditional four corner towers, but had a modern twist with glass panels and is spread over three floors.

To this day the cause of the fire has not been established.

Avon Fire and Rescue was alerted at 6.45am on Monday, July 28 last year.

Crews desperately fought to save the 104-year-old seaside landmark as flames took hold.

But even with 80 firefighters and 1.5 million litres gallons of water, nothing could stop the 1,000C flames from spreading and destroying the entire pavilion.

The blaze could be seen from the M5 motorway and across the Bristol Channel in Wales.

After hours of dowsing the blaze, fire crews were finally able to extinguish it, helping to save the sub structure of the pier.

It remained weak from the damage caused above, but it was still in one piece and had survived.

Now a year on, work to rebuild the pavilion and create a new £37 million world class pier is well under way.

Commercial Marine Piling completed the piling works two weeks ago, which has seen additional piles driven into the sea bed to strengthen the pier.

The enabling works contractor is still on site repairing everything below deck and this should be finished in around six weeks' time.

Deputy chief fire officer Jerry O'Brien recorded the cause of the fire as "unknown" after a painstaking investigation but said the most likely cause was "an electrical fault of unknown origin".