[5] The entrance starts at Promenade Road and follows a route inland next to Princes Park, before crossing over Marine Drive and meeting the beach at approximately half-way along its length.

[13] From 1906, the newly constructed pavilion was leased out to play host to a variety of entertainers, including Charlie Chaplin and George Robey.

[14] By the early 1920s, silting in the water channel allowed for land reclamation, whilst it became more and more difficult for steamer ships to reach the pier; the service ceased entirely in 1929.

[7] Sefton Council acquired ownership of the pier in 1974 following national reorganisation of local government[16] and it was designated as a Grade II listed structure on 18 August 1975[2] despite being in a state of deterioration.

Despite its listed status, Sefton Council sought to demolish the pier in December 1990 due to the rising cost of repairs and maintenance, yet was defeated by a single vote.

[1] In February 1997, a grant of £34,000 (equivalent to £78,159 in 2023) was provided from lottery funding in order for a structural survey to be undertaken,[18] confirming the pier's then poor condition and recommending its closure.

[22] The pier today is an open structure, with modern railings on an older base and a deck made of hardwood slats, affording a partial view of the sea below.

[24] The modern pavilion structure at the pier head was designed by Liverpool architects Shed KM and cost £1.2 million; the building houses a cafeteria with airport style floor to ceiling windows overlooking the beach[23] and a collection of vintage mechanical amusement machines and penny arcade.

[24] Plans were announced in April 2017 to renovate the pier as part of a £2.9 million makeover, with two-thirds of the cost coming from the Coastal Communities Fund to include repairs and new retail units.

Additionally, the council seek to undertake repainting and mechanical works, as well as pavilion improvements and providing easier access to the pier from the beach.

[5] The tram line eventually reopened in 1950, with the track gauge changed and moved to the side of the pier (previously central) and from 1954 operated with new diesel trains, known as the Silver Belle[15] and built by local engineer Harry Barlow who owned the Lakeside Miniature Railway.

[15] The Silver Belle stock became derelict at Steamport for some years, before moving to the West Lancashire Light Railway for conversion into carriages.

[29] In July 2013, the tram service was suspended following the discovery of cracks within the supporting columns[30] and ceased running entirely in June 2015 due to rising maintenance costs and council cost-cutting measures.