New Pavilion, Buildings etc, North Pier, Blackpool

In 1874 the capital of the company was increased to £49,000. Birch prepared plans for two wings at the seaward end of the pier and Laidlaw constructed these at a cost of £14,000. On completion of the new wings, the area of the pier head amounted to almost one and a half acres (280 feet north-south by 170 feet east-west). In 1875, R. Neill & Sons of Manchester built pavilions shops and bandstands on each of the wings. The Indian Pavilion on the north wing was 130 feet by 90 feet with seating for 1500. The Central Hall was 87 feet by 37 feet by 34 feet high with corridors each side 19 feet wide and twenty feet high running the full length of the building [Builder 30 June 1877 Page 667-8]

BLACKPOOL PIER: GRAND NEW HEAD. 1.5 acres: Indian Pavilion seating 1,500; large square Band Kiosk, Refreshment rooms; Shops, Lavatories, Terraced Promenades: recent cost £40,000. The pier is now the finest in Europe Musical director Mr De Jong, with a splendid full band of about 40. Opening Concert 11 June. Concerts daily afterwards. Whit-Week a Military Band. [Manchester Guardian 19 May 1877 Page 1]