Story perspectives

Storm Austen Waves Collapse West Pier, Devastating Damage

By Drooid · Oct 23, 2026, 4:35 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

West Pier collapsed when Storm Austen’s waves struck at about 9:30 a.m. on Oct 23, 2026.
Resident Simon Haffenden filmed the collapse and reported hearing a loud bang.
Kate Phillips of the West Pier Trust said damage was devastating but the middle section might survive.
Nightcap Limited bought the i360 after council cleared a £51 million debt.
Brighton and Hove City Council still owes £32 million, to be repaid at £2.2 million annually until 2041.

History

Historical Context

The night of 15-16 October 1987, the Great Storm battered southern England with gusts up to 115 mph at Shoreham, killing 22 and costing insurers £2 billion. Its damage to coastal piers highlighted the vulnerability of heritage structures. The 23 October 2026 collapse of Brighton’s West Pier during a severe storm revives that legacy, prompting the West Pier Trust to seek climate-resilient funding.

1 of 2

Story summary

West Pier collapsed when Storm Austen’s waves struck at about 9:30 a.m. on Oct 23, 2026.
Resident Simon Haffenden filmed the collapse and reported hearing a loud bang.
Kate Phillips of the West Pier Trust said damage was devastating but the middle section might survive.
Nightcap Limited bought the i360 after council cleared a £51 million debt.
Brighton and Hove City Council still owes £32 million, to be repaid at £2.2 million annually until 2041.

1 / 2