Pier buy is 'childhood dream'

The pier pavilion was opened in 1900

A businessman has realised his childhood dream by buying a Victorian pier in north Wales.

Steve Hunt, from Cambridgeshire, has sold his home to take on the Grade II listed Victorian pier in Colwyn Bay.

Owners Mike and Ann Paxman had tried to auction the pier over the internet but failed to get the reserve price they wanted.

After 10 years, they are handing the pier - which could need up to £4m to be fully restored - over to Mr Hunt.

The new owner told BBC Wales he had been interested in the seaside structures since he was young.

Only the British would build a big iron structure in the salt water - it's a bit of a silly thing to do

Steve Hunt

"It was a bit of a childhood fascination ever since I went to the coast as a young boy with my parents.

"I have always been fascinated by them, always wanted one. This one came up for sale so I bought it.

"[Piers] are just so eccentric aren't they, really. They're so British.

"Only the British would build a big iron structure in the salt water - it's a bit of a silly thing to do.

Mike Paxman said he admired Mr Hunt for taking on the pier.

"We have had 10 marvellous years on the pier. We did what we felt we could with it," he said.

Mr Hunt is hoping to get the ballroom restored to its original condition and rebuild the entrance.

'Restoration'

He is planning to get involved in the work himself.

"You'll see me out there quite a lot, hanging off the end of a rope," he said.

The pier was built as Colwyn Bay became a tourist resort

"The last estimates in 2001 were put at £2.6m for the complete restoration.

"Working on those estimates today, the figures are probably between £3m and £4m. Anything I can save by getting my hands dirty, I will."

The Paxmans decided to sell the century-old pier as their attempts to turn it into a major tourist attraction were causing too much stress.

The couple had hoped to transform it into a casino and tourist attraction, but had problems complying with modern safety regulations within their budget.

The pier is one of the few iron-built seaside structures remaining around the coast of the UK.

Rebuilt three times during its life, it was a wartime refuge to wounded troops, and in the second half of the century it was an entertainment venue and amusement arcade.