Research · Link
An academic paper by SHN trustees Anya Chapman and Duncan Light, which looks at how seaside piers are adapting and repositioning for new markets in the 21st century
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The UK’s seaside piers were created in a particular context, and as that context has changed, they have needed to adapt to remain viable and competitive as visitor attractions.
The paper identifies 3 strategies commonly adopted by seaside piers in the 21st century: a focus on contemporary family entertainment; a focus on innovation and diversification; and a focus on heritage, nostalgia, and tradition.
The paper focuses on the strengths and weaknesses of each strategy, along with the broader challenges facing seaside piers.
The paper was published in the Journal of Heritage Tourism. You can download an author's pre-print version of the paper here.
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An academic paper by SHN trustees Anya Chapman and Duncan Light which looks at why the heritage of our seaside resorts is so frequently overlooked
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An article by SHN Chair Kathryn Ferry from ‘Heritage Now,’ the members magazine of Historic Buildings and Places, which urges a reassessment of resort architecture.
View resource: Recognising Seaside Heritage:format(webp))
This document provides a comprehensive review of the status, challenges, and best practices for British seaside piers, including sustainability strategies.
View resource: Pier Review: Sustainability toolkit for British seaside piersDiscover all the latest from the Seaside Heritage Network, direct to your inbox.
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