00:00I'm here today on Roker Pier for the official reopening. The pier has been closed since October 2023, following damage caused by Storm Babbitt.
00:09OK, good morning everyone. Welcome to Roker Pier on a brilliant sunny day, on National Magnum Day.
00:16So it's great to be able to reopen Roker Pier for everyone to enjoy.
00:21Again, this is weather permitting. They had a good test last week with the Storm promise.
00:25But I'd like to be a special thanks to South Pier Civil Engineering.
00:30They've done a fantastic job all within the timeframe that was planned to make sure the pier was reopened as soon as possible.
00:37So I'm delighted this morning that the Roker Pier is now reopened.
00:41OK, Councillor John's now is a feel to be down here today to reopen the pier after it's been closed for nearly two years.
00:55Fantastic day for Sunday now, we're sitting by the sea. I'm delighted that all of the work has finished on time at the end of July.
01:01And we're now able to reopen the pier for people to come back and enjoy.
01:05What a brilliant day for it to open again. National Magnum Day, sunny day.
01:09And I'm delighted that people can now come, walk along the pier, can see the work that's been completed and for everyone to enjoy.
01:15And just how big a part of the city's heritage is the pier and the lighthouse which we've got here?
01:20It's one of our main assets in terms of that visual. Everyone loves Roker Pier and lighthouse enough that the club have even got it on their new away shirt and the city by the sea slogan on the back.
01:32So it really does have a massive part of play in Sunderland and I'm delighted now that it's reopened for everyone to come and enjoy again.
01:37And as the kids are off at the moment, how important was it to get the pier reopened before the end of summer?
01:42We're really keen to have it open at some point over the summer holidays, so we've still got three to four weeks left of those.
01:47But also Roker Pier lighthouse tours will also be reopening so people can come along and take part in the tunnel and the pier from inside as well.
01:55And how much has been spent on the repairs?
01:57Around £236,000 worth of repairs has taken place. £150,000 worth of that was on the granite coping stones and around £50,000 on the decking area itself.
02:08As well as repairs to the railings which were washed away during the storm.
02:12I believe it got a good test last week?
02:14A good test last week before we opened. I'm glad it's passed with flying colours.
02:19So as we go to day, brilliant day to reopen.
02:23OK then Stuart, the pier's been closed nearly two years. What's it like to come down here this morning and get back on the pier?
02:40Oh, it's fantastic. Especially with the weather being aware it is. As I say, it's been closed for two years now, so it's nice to get back on the pier.
02:47See the dolphins when they're hopefully here again. And it's nice for the community again.
02:52What about you girls? Good to get back on the pier?
02:54Amazing. I can't wait to see the dolphins up close again and actually get photos because we've been on the paddle boards to get close to them.
03:01But I couldn't get the photos so it would be great to see them up close again.
03:05And do you used to see them before it closed? Yeah.
03:08What about you Alexis? What's it like to be back here again on the pier?
03:10Well, it's really good because I have so many memories here and I used to go fishing with my dad here and it was really fun.
03:17So great to see it reopened again? Yeah, I love it. Over the moon.
03:21Okay, the pier's been closed nearly two years. What's it like to finally get back along it for a walk?
03:25Oh, it's great. It's been long overdue.
03:27And what sort of things do you like to enjoy when you come along here?
03:30Well, we like to have a look at the dolphins. Every day I've got to bring my binoculars down looking from the shore.
03:35But now you can go right there into the pier and see them as they come along.
03:40What about yourself, Pam? How do you feel about being back on the pier today?
03:44Oh, it's brilliant. Lovely deer. Beautiful weather. Really nice. We're down here every day.
03:50And is the pier and the lighthouse a big part of Sunderland's tradition and history and heritage?
03:55Oh, yeah. Definitely. We've just had a look inside the guy. Let us have a look inside the dog.
04:01Okay then, Maureen. The pier is reopening today. How does it feel to be back and ready to get the tours going again?
04:07Oh, it's absolutely fantastic. After 18 months being closed, we just can't wait to get the tours up and running.
04:14So, we're doing some training the next week or so, but we hope to have tours available for the public to book by the end of this month.
04:22We can't wait to show people the delights of the tunnel and the lighthouse.
04:26And people who go on the tour, what can you expect to see and do?
04:29Well, we normally meet them across an adventure Sunderland. Then we'll bring them here, take them through the tunnel, all the way around to the bottom of the lighthouse.
04:38There's a steep ladder up into the lighthouse on the south. And then we'll take them up to the lightroom.
04:43And if there's dolphins, that's added extra. We'll just stop talking if there's dolphins. People just want to take pictures.
04:49And we'll give them a bit of the history, how it's built and everything.
04:52And everybody absolutely loves it, you know. I haven't had a bad review yet.
04:55So, it takes an hour and a half, two hours. And I think it's £12 for adults. And the book on the website.
05:02And just how frustrating has it been to not be able to do these tours for the period the pier has been closed?
05:07So frustrating. I mean, we understand that it takes a while and it's a listed building. So, you've got to get the permissions and I know the Kansas got to get quoted.
05:15So, we absolutely understand the admin side of it. It just takes time. But then the lads who've done the building work have done it really well and on target.
05:22So, we're just, like I say, that's in the past. We're just looking forward now, looking to meet the people of Sunderland and take them through the tunnel, be far.
05:32So, yeah, I say it's a little bit.
05:46Thanks so much.
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