 Proposals for a pier in Southport were first suggested in 1844, in conjunction with a potential railway from Manchester, with a committee formed in 1852 to help promote its construction.Following debates throughout the following few years about what its intended usage should be, the Southport Pier company was formed in March 1859 with a £12,000 capital.The cost to build the pier was estimated at £8000 (), eventually rising to £8700 () with construction work commencing in August 1859.