A UK seaside town has been given a major boost as an iconic attraction is set to reopen ahead of the summer months. It has been confirmed the 145-year-old attraction will reopen to the public for the first time since closing in 2024.

Hythe Pier, in Hampshire, will open again following a revamp, including major electrical improvements. The pier, which was built in 1881 and is the seventh longest in the UK, features the world’s oldest continuously operating pier railway. The railway opened in 1922 and allows visitors to ride along the 700 yard wooden pier.

It will cost visitors £1 to walk along the reopened pier. Meanwhile, children under the age of five will be allowed access for free.

As reported by The Irish Sun, a spokesperson for the Hythe Pier, Train and Ferry Group said: “Every £1 you spend goes back into the pier, supporting its future as we begin our transition into a charity. Come and walk the full length of the pier (700 yards / 640 meters) take in the views, and be part of this next chapter.”

The pier provides stunning coastal views and is a popular viewpoint for watching cruise liners on their way to Southampton port. It has recently undergone work to be preserved as a heritage site.

Hythe Ferry previously ran services from the pier to Southampton. The journey takes just 15 minutes and was considered essential to the local community.

Although the pier is set to reopen to the public, giving a boost to local tourism, there are concerns that the ferry and train services connecting Hythe to Southampton are not yet back on track.

Local councillor Malcolm Wade explained: “We’re waiting for Red Funnel to decide what they’re going to do, because they’ve already written to us to say they’re not interested in running the ferry anymore and we want our ferry back.”

Hythe Pier, Train and Ferry Group said: “We could see how incredibly important it was that we bring our much-loved pier back to the community. This is hopefully the first step towards restoring the service.”