22/07/2025
Buy a slice of history...
Blackpool's historic North Pier, the town's oldest and a Grade II-listed structure, has been put up for sale by the Sedgwick family, who have owned it for 14 years.
Here are the key details:
Sale Overview
* Current Owners: The Sedgwick family, who operate Northern Victorian Pier company, are selling the North Pier to focus on their other properties in Blackpool, specifically the Central and South Piers. They purchased the North Pier in 2011 for £140,000.
* Selling Agent: Global real estate advisor Avison Young has been appointed to handle the sale.
* Asking Price: No specific guide price has been publicly listed, with Avison Young indicating that "sensible" offers will be considered. They note the complexity of pricing piers, but suggest it's not "multi-millions," though a premium is anticipated.
Pier Features & Financials
* Historical Significance: Built in 1863, the North Pier retains its Victorian grandeur.
* Size: The property spans approximately 145,300 sq ft (or circa 13,500 m2).
* Current Offerings: The sale includes all existing assets, such as the Joe Longthorne Theatre, an amusement arcade (featuring an Adult Gaming Centre), a two-tier Victorian carousel, an electric train, and a variety of cafes, takeaways, and bars. Significant investments have been made in the pier over the last five years, including the refurbishment of the Bloom Bar during the Covid pandemic.
* Financial Performance: For the year ending December 2024, the North Pier reported a turnover of £2.3 million. It also generates valuable concession income of approximately £154,000 per annum.
* Staffing: The pier currently employs around 40 seasonal workers and 13 year-round staff.
Opportunity for Buyers
Avison Young describes the North Pier as a "rare and exciting opportunity" for investors to acquire a "prominent, multi-faceted family entertainment attraction" in a key UK seaside destination. They highlight its mix of leisure, entertainment, and food and beverage facilities, along with potential for further development and enhancement of existing offerings like the Merrie England Bar, presenting both immediate income and long-term growth opportunities.
For more information, you can refer to the following sources:
* Blackpool's oldest pier for sale - Place North West
* Blackpool's North Pier goes up for sale - Blackpool Gazette
* North Pier, The Promenade, Blackpool - Avison Young
