Okken Ltd has acquired the Grade II listed Victorian attraction and committed to a phased £10m restoration, including theatre upgrades, new event spaces and a new bar.
Blackpool North Pier has changed hands for the first time in 15 years, with new owner Okken Ltd committing £10m to restore and expand one of the UK’s most recognisable heritage leisure assets. The acquisition marks a significant shift for the 163-year-old structure, with the new ownership outlining plans to sensitively restore the pier’s historic fabric while introducing enhancements designed to secure its long-term future as a leading resort attraction.
Confirmed works include a comprehensive structural refurbishment, an upgraded theatre, new media and event spaces, and a new bar at the pier’s entrance — all to be delivered under recently granted planning permission. Further investment phases are expected to be announced in the coming months.
North Pier is Blackpool’s oldest pier, first opened in 1863. The site operates as a fully equipped freehold business, encompassing the 1,465-seat Joe Longthorne Theatre, an amusement arcade, an adult gaming centre, a family entertainment centre, a two-tier Victorian carousel, an electric train, and a range of cafés, bars and takeaways. In 2024, the pier generated around £2.3m in total turnover, with concessions contributing roughly £154,000.
Paul Cooper of Okken Ltd said: “North Pier is a piece of living history, and it is a privilege to take on its care. Our commitment is simple: to invest, to restore, and to bring this wonderful pier back to its very best, while adding the kind of experiences that will make it a destination for generations to come. We see ourselves as guardians of this landmark.”
Cooper also confirmed operational continuity. “The management team here has a deep understanding of the pier and a real passion for it. We’re delighted they will continue to lead day-to-day operations as we begin this exciting next phase together.”
The new owners paid tribute to the Sedgwick family, who served as custodians of North Pier for 15 years, welcoming millions of visitors while protecting its heritage and character. The Sedgwick family, who also own Central Pier and South Pier, cited the need to focus on their other sites as the reason for the sale.
The £10m North Pier investment arrives at a pivotal moment for Blackpool’s attractions landscape. Blackpool Council took operational control of Blackpool Tower from Merlin Entertainments in August 2025, and a £300m leisure development anchored near Central Pier has been in planning for several years. The pier sale adds a further strand to what is becoming a busy period of ownership change and capital commitment across the resort.
Image: visitblackpool
