HPCL was incorporated as a private company limited by guarantee on 22 August 2024, and registered as a charity on 24 October 2024. Helensburgh Pier was closed to marine traffic by its owner, Argyll & Bute Council, in 2018 on safety grounds, and the charity’s mission is to sustainably regenerate Helensburgh’s Pier for the benefit of the community. The Charity has the support of Helensburgh Community Council and a commercial operator.
During the year, the charity carried out the following activities:
demonstrated support from the local community for the restoration, preservation and enhancement of the Pier by organising a “sail-past” by PS Waverley on 18 August 2024 attended by over 500 people;
engaged with the Helensburgh Community Council Local Place Plan and participated in the LPP public consultation event in March 2025. HPCL’s aim to regenerate Helensburgh’s Pier for the benefit of the community is one of the Proposals in the LPP, and the Proposal received strong support in the LPP consultation;
received donations to support its charitable work. Note, HPCL has decided not to launch a major funding drive until a detailed scope of works and costs for Phase 1 of the project are available, being repairs to the Timber Pier to a standard that will allow the current marine closure notice to be lifted and permit use by commercial traffic greater than 700 GRT. There is work ongoing to secure the necessary information to launch a funding call;
incurred costs in connection with promoting or delivering its activities;
established a website and social media presence;
engaged with stakeholders;
engaged with similar projects;
engaged with potential commercial users of a regenerated facility;
engaged with potential funders;
engaged with potential suppliers and investigated technical requirements and costs involved in Phase 2 of the planned works, being installing an accessible gangway and pontoon on the inner face of the Pier for use by small craft and for recreational purposes. This part of the project cannot take place until Phase 1 has been completed due to the condition of the Timber Pier;
received an initial condition report for the Timber Pier;
worked with Argyll and Bute Council on a Lease for the Timber Pier. Heads of Terms were agreed in December 2024 for a 25-year Lease for the Pier from Argyll & Bute Council, a necessary step to be able to apply to major funders. Legal negotiations were ongoing at 31/08/2025;
developed its administration and governance arrangements. The first board meeting of the charity took place on 20 September 2024. There have been ten board meetings to 31 October 2025;
worked towards delivering its charitable purposes for the benefit of the people of Helensburgh and the surrounding area.
In the first year of operation for the Charity, key activities have been gathering information and establishing relationships with relevant parties, with much time and effort spent on trying to establish what works will be required to lift the closure notice.
The charity has made public its aims which have been widely reported in the media. As a result, both media and social media responses have been positive. A number of organisations have indicated their support.