Penarth Pier - a late night wander and rainy photoshoot
I’ve got a soft-spot for Penarth, especially the esplanade. I’ve always found it an area that’s always fighting for identity and its this strange tension that’s always drawn me to it. A heady mix of early victorian shops, modernist high-rise flats (bricks - check, concrete - check), the urban docks view to the left, the more dreamy cross-estuary view to Western / Ilfracombe and obviously the Pier. Throw in the newly renovated Coffi co out of the former conveniences and the olde-worlde beach huts by the lifeboat station plus the new suite of brightly lit food / drink establishments and you’ve got Penarth pier and esplanade.
I moved to Penarth from Manchester 18 years ago and saw the seafront area undergo so many changes. I remember being surprised how the Pavillion was being used as a gymnastics gym and how the main pavillion was in a certain state of disrepair and the only place to get a coffee was Tony’s. I even recall going for the strangest of pints in what used to be (i think) swimming pool, which turned into a late night bar (briefly) and then into flats.
