Although originally intended only as a promenade, competition forced the pier to widen its attractions to include theatres and bars.

At intervals along the pier are hexagonal kiosks built around 1900 in wood and glass with minaret roofs topped with decorative finials.

All the shops in the area were closed and decorated with flags and streamers[4] for the ceremony, which included a procession and a cannon salute, and was attended by more than 20,000 visitors.

[7] Although the town only had a population of approximately 4,000, more than 200,000 holiday makers regularly stayed there during the summer months;[2] this included 275,000 admissions in 1863, 400,000 in 1864 and 465,000 the following year.

[9] As permitted by the original parliamentary order, a landing jetty was built at the end of North Pier in incremental stages between 1864 and 1867.

[1] The Blackpool Pier Company used the jetty to operate pleasure steamers that made trips to the surrounding areas.

[10] The interior decoration led it to be known as the "Indian Pavilion", and it was Blackpool's primary venue for indoor entertainment until the Winter Gardens opened in 1879.

[13] The pier owners highlighted the difference, charging at least a shilling (worth approximately £19.90 in 2012)[note 2] for concerts and ensuring that advertisements for comedians focused on their lack of vulgarity.

[14] On 8 October 1892, a storm-damaged vessel, Sirene, hit the southern side of the pier, causing four shops and part of the deck to collapse onto the beach below.

[4] Nelson's former flagship, HMS Foudroyant, was moored alongside North Pier for an exhibition, but slipped anchor and was wrecked on the shore in a violent storm on 16 June 1897, damaging part of the jetty.

[4] An Arcade Pavilion was added in 1903 at the entrance to the pier and contained a wide range of amusements to suit all tastes.

The 1939 theatre, which is still in use, narrowly escaped damage in 1985 when the early stages of a fire were noticed by performer Vince Hill.

In 1991 the pier gained the Carousel bar as an additional attraction, and a small tramway to ease access to the pier-head.

The Carousel bar on the pier-head has a Victorian wrought iron canopy, and its outdoor sun-lounge is classified as the largest beer garden in Blackpool.

[24]After the fire in 1938, the pavilion was replaced with a 1,564-seat theatre which has since hosted a number of acts including; Frankie Vaughan, Frank Randle, Tessie O'Shea, Dave Morris, Bernard Delfont, Morecambe and Wise, Paul Daniels, Freddie Starr, Russ Abbot, Bruce Forsyth, Des O'Connor, Joe Longthorne, Cannon & Ball, Lily Savage, Brian Conley and Hale and Pace.

[28] The new owners opened the Victorian-themed tea room, and built an eight-seat shuttle running the length of the pier.

Peter Sedgwick explained that he proposed to his wife on North Pier forty years ago, and promised to buy it for her one day.

[32] At the 11th hour, an agreement to pay the outstanding balance owed to Carlsberg was made and Peter Sedgwick's company escaped liquidation.