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The second of Blackpool's three piers to be built, Central Pier (then "South Pier") was completed in 1868. It is "central" in that it is situated between the other two piers.

Central Pier soon became known as the 'people's pier' because its emphasis was on fun rather than the genteel relaxation provided at North Pier. In Victorian times the class system was rife, and working class activities like dancing were very much frowned upon by the genteel folk frequenting the North Pier.

In the 20th century, roller skating was introduced along with fairground rides and amusement machines. The dance halls became less popular after the War and, by the 1970s, the facilities had been adapted into a theatre, bars and amusement arcades. The most noticeable feature of recent times is the 108ft high Ferris wheel, added in 1990.

When it was first opened, the pier was 1518ft (460m) in length, which included a 400ft (121m) low-tide jetty at the head. The overall length was reduced to 1118ft (339m) in the 1970s when the obsolete low-tide jetty was demolished.

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