Return of the pier: Three of the UK's most iconic attractions have now been purchased... with Victorian landmark Llandudno fetching £4.5MILLION

  • Traditional British seaside holidays are now more popular than ever
  • Two Blackpool piers raised £8.1m, while Llandudno Pier brought in £4.5m
  • The 685m Llandudno Pier is the only one in Britain with 'listed' status

By Katie Amey for MailOnline

Published: 11:58 EST, 9 July 2015 | Updated: 12:41 EST, 9 July 2015

Traditional British seaside holidays are enjoying a renaissance, as three of the country's most iconic piers were snapped up by eager UK buyers within just two months. 

Revealing a 'clear illustration of a strengthening' of money and visitors flowing into Britain's seaside resorts, two of Blackpool's breathtaking piers were sold this week for £8.1million.

Buyer Peter Sedgwick bought Blackpool's Central and South piers, as he already owned the third remaining pier in the Lancashire seaside town: Blackpool North Pier.

Two months ago, the Llandudno Pier in North Wales was sold to a new leisure buyer for £4.5million

Two months ago, the Llandudno Pier in North Wales was sold to a new leisure buyer for £4.5million

This sale comes just two months after the famous Victorian landmark Llandudno Pier, in North Wales, was also sold to a new leisure buyer - for £4.5million.

All three were handled handled by Bilfinger GVA Retail, Hotels and Leisure, on behalf of the trio's now former owner, Crown Entertainment Centres.

St John Stott, director at Crown Entertainment Centres, said they have sold the three famous piers in order to 'restructure its assets'.

Mr Stott added: 'Peter Sedgwick is an experienced, longstanding leisure operator and we are delighted to have sold both The Central and South Piers to him.'

Recently, Blackpool's Central (pictured) and South Piers, were also purchased for £8.1m - a direct result of the resurgence in popularity of traditional British seaside getaways

Recently, Blackpool's Central (pictured) and South Piers, were also purchased for £8.1m - a direct result of the resurgence in popularity of traditional British seaside getaways

Peter Sedgwick, who currently operates rides on both Central and South Piers, added: 'To add these two iconic piers to our portfolio is extremely exciting.

'We hope to capitalise on a group ownership of all three Blackpool Piers to ensure that many thousands of visitors continue to enjoy these wonderful attractions for years to come.'

Richard Baldwin, director at Bilfinger GVA, said: 'After considerable interest in both piers, we are delighted to have completed these two sales in such a short timescale.

'The conclusion of these sales together with that of Llandudno Pier is a clear illustration of a strengthening in the alternative leisure markets, which is extremely encouraging.'

Locals hope the Lancashire landmarks, which attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, will continue to receive investment in the new deal.

Blackpool student Kian Blake, 17, said: 'It would be tragic if these two piers were left to rot and ruin.

'Piers look great and are fantastic all year round to be honest. They are part of our town.'

Opening in 1868, Blackpool Central Pier is home to a 33m high (108ft) Ferris wheel and stands at 341m long (1,118ft), made of cast iron.

Meanwhile the youngest of the three Blackpool piers, the South Pier, was opened in 1893 and is also the shortest at 150m long (or 492ft).

Blackpool's South Pier, which measures 150m, is the youngest of those in Blackpool, having opened in 1893

Blackpool's South Pier, which measures 150m, is the youngest of those in Blackpool, having opened in 1893

The 685m Victorian landmark, Llandudno Pier, is the only one in Britain with 'listed' status

The 685m Victorian landmark, Llandudno Pier, is the only one in Britain with 'listed' status

The 685 metre-long Llandudno Pier is the only one in Britain with 'listed' status, meaning any future owners would require approval to make even the most minor changes.

Known as the 'Queen of Welsh Piers', it was opened in 1877 and nestles in the crescent bay between the outcrops of the Little and Great Orme.

Llandudno Pier is often chosen for Victorian and Edwardian seaside filming locations, notably for the 2002 TV production of The Forsyte Saga.

In 2005 it was voted 'Pier of the Year 2005' by the members of the National Piers Society and it also starred in a 2013 Volkwagen TV advert.

Crown, who also own Blackpool Winter Gardens, sold it to local North Wales entrepreneur Adam Williams' firm Tir Prince Raceway.

Mr Williams vowed to keep up the Victorian pier's tradition and history, confirming: 'Llandudno Pier is an important piece of Wales's history and heritage.'

A spokesman for the National Piers Society, which promotes the preservation and continued enjoyment of seaside piers in the UK, said they were optimistic for the trio's future.

They added: 'These piers are all in good order and trading successfully.'

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