Community Spirit: Over 1000 people help to build a 20m Cardboard Pier in Weston-super-Mare

Over 1,000 people helped to build and topple a colossal six-story Cardboard Pier in Weston’s Prince Consort Garden over the weekend.

And what fun was had!

“What made it really special was seeing our community come together to build it. Seeing this incredible creation today, in anticipation of the real thing being brought back to life, was a brilliant reminder of how much this place means to people.” – Daniel Aldridge MP

This was part of North Somerset Council’s imaginative engagement programme to involve local people in their project to restore the Grade II* Listed Birnbeck Pier.

Weston’s Cardboard Pier is the brainchild of the visual artist, Olivier Grossetête, who is renowned for his epic temporary structures around the world.

“I’m delighted that our project in Weston was such a success. Our project is truly participatory and the result reflects the commitment of both the organisers and the local community… And here it was a real success! Much of the credit for this therefore goes to you, the residents of Weston-super-Mare. Thank you once again.” – Olivier Grossetête

Prior to the build, over 400 volunteers took part in workshops to turn flat pack cardboard into the building blocks needed to create the installation. Volunteers included Sea Cadets, North Somerset Council staff and Weston College, and even international travellers visited Weston especially to take part in the project.

The cardboard pier was built on Saturday in just nine-hours by 100s of volunteers who came along to help lift, stack and tape the epic structure. A true intergenerational effort with some of our youngest and oldest community members helping out.

Sunday was an example of community action at its most joyful – with the cardboard pier toppled at 3pm by over 300 volunteers who helped pull the structure down and flatten it through lots of jumping, squashing and the power of laughter. Earlier on the separate clock tower structure was similarly dismantled by volunteers, following early morning strong winds.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part, and a special mention to Willmotts & Harley Masters for supplying transport free of charge. Without you, the build wouldn’t have been possible.

With additional thanks to contractor Mackley for making this possible, and to Weston-based Smurfit Westrock for supplying the cardboard – which, of course, will all be fully recycled.

The bricks-and-mortar Birnbeck Pier is due to reopen to the public next summer.

Super Culture is supported by Arts Council England. North Somerset Council’s project to restore Birnbeck Pier is funded by over £44m secured from the UK government, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Historic England.