ANNUAL PASS SCHEME LAUNCHED FOR BANGOR PIER
A new trial scheme for Annual Passes for regular visitors to Bangor Pier has been agreed by Bangor City Council, with passes available for purchase at the Pier entrance kiosk.
Pricing for the Annual Pass starts at £5 for residents of an LL57 address, £10 for local students & £25 for other visitors, which allows unlimited visits to the Pier. The normal admission price of Adults – 50p, Children 6-17yrs – 20p and OAPs – 20p, without a pass, will remain in place.
The initiative has been launched by the ‘Friends of Bangor Garth Pier’ – a voluntary group, established in 2020 as an unincorporated charitable association, with the ambition of sustaining the pier for future generations and making Bangor Garth Pier an Award winning Heritage Pier.
The pier was opened on 14 May 1896 by Lord Penrhyn, having cost £17,000 to build. Steamers from Douglas, Liverpool, Blackpool would regularly visit the pier in the early days.
The pier closed for safety reasons at the end of 1971. Ownership passed to Arfon Borough Council in 1974, who decided to demolish the structure. However, Bangor City Council objected and listed building status was obtained for the pier, one of the finest in Britain. Eventually, the City Council took ownership of the pier for a nominal fee of just 1p.
With help from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Welsh Office and the Manpower Services Commission, restoration began in November 1982 and the pier was officially re-opened on 7 May 1988 by the Marquis of Anglesey.
August 2017 saw the commencement of a £1m restoration project aimed at ensuring the future of Bangor Pier for many years to come. Although visually in generally good condition, the substructure was overdue for repairs and Bangor City Council had resolved to repair and restore the Garth Pier which had not received any major maintenance works for many years and was in need of a major refurbishment.
Annual passes for the pier are available to purchase at the entrance kiosk.
£5 – on proof of LL57 postcode
£5 – students with Bangor University or Coleg Menai card
£10 – all other visitors
£25 – lifetime pass
Pier staff / volunteers – free