11/03/2026
Partnership to salvage wood from Birnbeck Pier announced! 🙌 🪓 🪵
As part of our project to restore in Weston-super-Mare, we’ve signed an agreement with Somerset Wood Recycling to give a new lease of life to wood salvaged from the Grade II* Listed pier.
The partnership aims to create a circular sustainability process. In other words, wood recovered that can’t be reused on the pier will be turned into items which will go on sale at the new shop to be housed in the Pier Master’s Cottage. All income generated from the sale of these items will be reinvested in the day-to-day maintenance of the site.
This initiative has been made possible thanks to funding we’ve secured from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Of which, a grant has been agreed that will enable based Somerset Wood Recycling to deliver the project.
Somerset Wood Recycling is a Community Interest Company (CIC) which salvages second-hand timber from across Somerset and turns it into beautiful, handmade furniture.
Their focus is to provide community benefit rather than private profit. They provide training and employment opportunities in woodworking, carpentry, recycling, and general life skills for local people who are furthest from the labour market. These opportunities offer people a second chance for training and employment skills, which in many cases lead to permanent employment.
As part of the project, Somerset Wood Recycling will offer a six-month placement in carpentry and woodworking to four trainees. At least two of these placements will be offered to young people through our own Youth Justice Service.
Tom Palmer, Director of Somerset Wood Recycling (pictured) said: “We're excited to be working with North Somerset Council, and their appointed contractor Mackley, on the Birnbeck Pier project. We're looking forward to finding a new purpose for timber reclaimed from the pier; creating employment and training opportunities for local people while making a little bit of Weston's heritage available for people to own.”
The Birnbeck Pier project is part of our ambitious placemaking vision for Weston. Our programme is helping to reinvent iconic heritage buildings, support local businesses, create new jobs and deliver a year-round experience-led economy for the future.
You'll also find a link to more information about our Birnbeck Pier restoration project in the comments 👇
Weston Seafront SuperWeston Weston-super-Mare Town Council Historic England
