Southport Pier officially opened on August 2, 1860, with much ceremony and excitement. The oldest iron pier in the country it was built to enhance the popularity of Southport, as a place to visit and enjoy recreation and sea bathing. The pier received a designated Grade II listing in 1975 and fell into a period deterioration however, various funding sources were found including a Heritage Lottery grant and after a period of renovation the pier reopened 2002.