View south along Withernsea’s reinforced promenade (s.p.b.s) with the mock gothic towers that once gave entrance to the pier just showing. This gateway was a near copy of the one at the old Conwy bridge, North Wales; whether this was a whim of Bannister’s or whether there was some historic connection between Withernsea and North Wales I know not. The pier was another attraction which it was hoped would jettison Withernsea into an upper class resort. A simple nearby display using a beam shows important point in time in the history of the pier including moments when ships adrift in storms crashed into the pier, causing it to eventually be abandoned and dismantled. Seemingly it was when built a flimsy structure.
There are parallels with Ravenscar on the North Yorkshire coast, in that a grand plan was here also meant to kickstart an upmarket resort, again without success. As at Withernsea, it was all about a rail station at its centre, this on the old Scarborough to Whitby 21 mile long railway, 1885-1965. It is a classic example of Beeching’s balance sheet only mindset that this line was closed, surely one of the most scenic and spectacular in Europe. If running today every carriage would be full of enthusiasts on high days and holidays, with the route overlooking the beautiful Robin Hoods Bay and nearing Whitby the towering Larpool viaduct carrying the line over the steep sided river valley of the River Esk. The site of Ravenscar station, with the platform now just discernible, remains a popular day coach trip stop. The high resistant cliff face at Ravenscar also contrasted with Withernsea, However the plan at the former was to plant up shallow terraces in the cliff face which would be a series of mini parks and if done, would have needed very steep access stairs. It is arguable that coming rather late in history of newly created seaside resorts, Cleethorpes excluded, they were over optimistic about the sites chosen. That said, it is the case that Withernsea did develop into a resort expanded by jobbing builders and benefiting from a sea defence promenade funded initially by the East Yorkshire local authority. Ravenscar did not, although the up market hotel still functions as such.
The reasons why some seaside resorts or spa settlements developed successfully while others did not are various, while some account needs to be made of their history, points in time.