Weston-super-Mare Grand Pier hits decking setback

The rebuilding of Weston-super-Mare's Grand Pier has hit another setback.

A spokesman said decking around the new pavilion had failed and may have to be stripped and re-laid.

It was recently announced that Joyner Morgan, one of the main subcontractors had gone into liquidation.

The pier was expected to be completed in June after the pavilion was destroyed by fire in 2008. The owner said he was "bitterly disappointed" about the latest delay.

Kerry Michael, who co-owns the pier with his sister, said: "Structural engineers are looking into the design to see if it meets the requirements and if, as I fear, it does not, it will have to be stripped and redone.

"I am bitterly disappointed at the continued delays on the project.

"We should have been open weeks ago and not only have we lost the entire summer, but it looks like we will be losing what's left of the season as well."

He apologised to people waiting for the reopening, including those who had booked events, staff and the town's traders.

On Friday Joyner Morgan, the pier's main mechanical services contractor, went into voluntary liquidation with the loss of about 40 jobs.