Member Article

Local businesses hear about the Grand Pier’s transformation

Local businesses in Weston-Super-Mare met last week to hear all about the Grand Pier’s fire and restoration at the Regency Suite of the historic and iconic Grand Pier.

At the event, organised by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), the business people looked out across stunning view of the bay and the town from the Pier while they heard Matthew Cheek, the Pier’s longest serving member of staff, talk about the building.

In his talk, Matthew told attendees about the tragic fire in 2008 and the huge redesigning task as well as the details of the reconstruction. Of particular interest to those attending was Matthew’s insight into how logistical problems in the project were overcome as well as the financial elements.

The attractions of the new Pier were also outlined and the attendees had the chance to put Matthew under the spotlight in a question and answer session.

Eddie Nicolas, ACMA, CGMA, CIMA Bristol Group Leader, who attended the event, said “Big projects such as the rebuilding of the Pier after the terrible tragedy in 2008 are a challenge for those involved, especially when the building at the heart of it is so well loved by the local people. It was fascinating to hear not only about the practical and visible results of the redevelopment but, as business people, how they dealt with challenge of making the numbers add up too!”

Matthew has worked at the pier for just over 20 years, starting at 16 as a ride attendant on dodgems and is now the Cash Office Supervisor working alongside the Financial Controller. One of the more unusual jobs Matthew has carried out was counting the money which had melted into large lumps in the 1,200 degree fire in 2008. He broke up the coins using a cement mixer; pressure washed them all and then counted the money.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by CIMA UK Regional News .