Rebuilding the Grand Pier in Weston-Super-Mare

The entrance to Weston-super-Mare's Grand Pier, which has been rebuilt at a cost of £30 million to a design by Bristol-based Angus Meek Architects Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images Photograph: Matt Cardy/guardian.co.uk The Grand Pier will reopen as a year-round, all-weather indoor theme park. Pier owner Kerry Michael said: "There will be 18 brand new rides, plus some of the old favourites. We want to make the Grand Pier in Weston the best pier in the world." Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images Photograph: Matt Cardy/guardian.co.uk People stop to read a billboard as construction workers complete work on the exterior Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images Photograph: Matt Cardy/guardian.co.uk The new pavilion will have nearly twice the floor space of its predecessor Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images Photograph: Matt Cardy/guardian.co.uk Between £8m and £9m has been spent on the latest attractions, including Robocoaster - a giant robotic arm ride - and Sidewinder - a swinging pendulum Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images Photograph: Matt Cardy/guardian.co.uk There will be a Laser Maze and a 4D cinema - like the 3D version but with moving seats, air blasts, water sprays and leg ticklers Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images Photograph: Matt Cardy/guardian.co.uk Other rides include a new electric go kart track, a helter skelter and an aerial assault course Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images Photograph: Matt Cardy/guardian.co.uk Construction workers finish work on one of the rides in the rebuilt Grand Pier Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images Photograph: Matt Cardy/guardian.co.uk Old favourites set to return include the ghost train Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images Photograph: Matt Cardy/guardian.co.uk Matthews has also said: "We believe that Weston-super-Mare can become more prosperous. It could be Britain's most sought after seaside destination, with a world-class pier at its heart." Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images Photograph: Matt Cardy/guardian.co.uk Tourism in the West Country is worth more than £300m a year and Weston-super-Mare is one of its most important resorts. The Grand Pier is expected to attract more than four million visitors a year Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images Photograph: Matt Cardy/guardian.co.uk