The pier, which marks the western boundary of the Scotch Quarter, traditionally home to Carrick’s fishing community, has been fenced off for some time due to fears over its structural integrity.

Contractors arrived on site this week to secure buttress stones that have become displaced, replace some that have broken off, carry out grouting and repair the uneven pier surface.

As well as making what has traditionally been a popular spot for sea anglers accessible to the public once again, a key goal of the refurbishment is to ensure that the structure is fit to withstand the winter weather.

In the early stages of consultation on the masterplan for the regeneration of Carrick, published earlier this month, it was suggested that Fisherman’s Quay could provide a site for an extended or additional marina.

While this proposal was subsequently dropped, the final version of the document suggests that new watersports facilities, including a secondary pier for jet skiers and water skiers, could be developed around the quay.