A PUBLIC appeal has been launched to raise the �1.6million needed to create new visitor facilities at Clevedon Pier.

Support from the community is vital in gaining enough money for the project and pier trustees are keen to encourage everyone to get involved.

The scheme will see a glass structure built at the shore end of the Grade I-listed pier featuring a tearoom, shop, function room and exhibition space.

The structure will have a glass roof and will also feature a top-deck viewing platform.

Building work on the new facilities, designed by Bristol-based architects O’Leary Goss, is due to start in January and is expected to be completed by May 2014.

The Clevedon Pier and Heritage Trust has applied for �675,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, for which the bid has passed the first stage of scrutiny, and trustees are preparing to submit a second-round application in August.

To qualify for the grant, the same amount in match funding must be raised.

Grant applications have been made to other organisations and, so far, �150,000 has also been raised from sources such as the pier’s reserves, donations, grants and gifts. The trust also hopes to raise a further �50,000 from events over the next two years.

The remaining balance needs to be raised through the public appeal launched this week.

The trust’s development manager Jonquil Brooks said: “Every pound that is donated to us will be considered as match funding.

“The Heritage Lottery Fund wants to see we have commitment from the local community as well as using the trust’s reserves.”

It is hoped these new facilities will help generate the funds needed to preserve the historic ironwork of the pier, which attracts more than 90,000 visitors each year.

Trust chairman Simon Talbot-Ponsonby said: “This is a unique project which is the final stage of the programme to rebuild and restore the pier and secure its future following its collapse in 1970.”

Past supporters of the pier have been sent donor forms in the hope they will contribute to the appeal.

There are a number of ways the public can also help raise funds:

* Cheques, made payable to Clevedon Pier and Heritage Trust Ltd, can be sent to The Toll House, The Beach, Clevedon, BS21 7QU.

* Donations can be made via text message sent to 70070. In the message donors must type CPVA22�?? (fill in the amount after the � sign). Donations of �1, �2, �3, �4, �5 or �10 can be made.

* Any companies wishing to provide corporate sponsorship should contact pier manager Linda Strong on 01275 878846 or email enquiries@clevedonpier.com