Second phase of £4 million development underway
November 26, 2018
The second phase of Clacton Pier’s major £4 million development is now underway.
Work has begun in the central concourse which, once complete, will provide a large undercover all-weather area at the front of the attraction.
It will be the missing link between the newly-completed Discovery Bay and Skull Point, and the previously developed areas including the Prize Factory Arcade, Lanes Bowling and Boardwalk Bar and Grill.
The programme is expected to take around five months and will be finished by the end of March 2019 for the new main season.
It will cost in the region of £400,000 – with the bill for scaffolding under the landmark topping £40,000 alone.
Work involves removing the timber decked area within the central concourse along with the joists and timber beams – most of which have reached the end of their working life.
Efforts are being made to reclaim as many of these as possible to use in other areas of the Pier as part of the existing repair and maintenance programme.
The floor of the concourse will be replaced with a steel and reinforced concrete sub structure. This will be followed by insulation and screed, topped with a wood effect surface and will assist in totally closing this section of the Pier off to the elements.
The final part of phase two will be to create a glass screen at either end of the concourse to make the area weather tight.
Pier director Billy Ball said that the latest work will bring about a significant improvement which will benefit customers and staff alike.
“Once the existing arcade and the new improved elements are combined, they will create the largest amusement arcade in the Clacton and surrounding area during the summer months,” he added.
“Then from October to January the new space will be used for events, some new and others reinforcing existing activities such as the Pier’s Halloween Festival.
“It will give us more scope to expand our offer during the off season and bring more visitors into the town.”
The Pier will remain open while the work is carried out and residents will be able to monitor progress with regular updates provided.
Phase one of the £4 million scheme – which included the new Discovery Bay soft play, Skull Point adventure golf, Dockside Dodgems, the Galley Restaurant and Captain’s Table coffee shop – was successfully completed on time and on budget and opened on July 21.
Nigel Brown
Nigel joined Clacton Pier as its Communications Manager in February 2018. He had just retired as Tendring District Council's Communications Manager after 12 years. Previously he was Deputy Editor at the Clacton Gazette where he worked for 23 years.
Pam 5 years ago
Thank you for all your doing , I’ve lived here five years now and love the pier ,I use to come to Clacton as a kid and moved here to retire , I think your amazing to do what you are doing , thank you , my grandkids love going to the pier and so do I , it’s one of my favourite places , even more so now , it’s going to be warmer , and no scary looking through the planks at the sea , my grandson who has autism has always been scared to go on the pier , this will be amazing for him now . Xx
L Marlborough 5 years ago
We live locally in Clacton, and on Boxing Day, strolled down from a walk along the beach with friends to Clacton Pier. How magical and Christmassy it all looked! Absolutely fantastic! We then had something to eat and drink in Boardwalk Bar and Grill on lovely comfortable sofas. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and a great experience all round. Feel lucky to have all this on our doorstep. Well done Clacton Pier!
Lyndaday 5 years ago
Where’s the mat gone to
Samuel Franklin 5 years ago
Hi, are there any plans to open the toilets on the pier all year round in the future, as that would be great? I really love the crazy golf on Clacton pier its great been on it a few times, you do a lot for the town... I hear that your going to refurbish the place on the pier where you do the circus at the moment in the future, it would be great if lots of different events could be held in there...
david king 5 years ago
i think youve done a woderfull job and with style well done
Nigel Brown 5 years ago
Hi George, sorry that you cannot eat in the Galley restaurant at this time without children but we have to consider the security and safety of the kids using the facility. As a grandparent yourself I am sure you would agree. Parents and grandparents can use this attraction knowing that those in there are all with children. It becomes an issue if anyone is allowed in there and very difficult to ensure the same level of safety. We thought long and hard about this but in the end we felt it was the right way to go.
Nigel Brown 5 years ago
Hi Bob, glad you are impressed with the new £4 million development which will all be completed by Easter 2019. Our aim is to make the Pier a truly 52 week a year venue and destination of choice for those who want to come and have fun with us. We have tried to cater for all ages and have had some great feedback which we really appreciate. Love Clacton, love Clacton Pier!
George Sargent 5 years ago
My Wife & I both live in Clacton & are pensioners , we go out 2 lunch every day & would love 2 eat on the pier now it's lovely , when the great grandchildren come they play on the play area, we love eating there & looking out over the sea,.but without them we are not allowed in , which seems unfair as they live miles away & we only see them in the summer , it would be nice if we were allowed in on our own
Bob Sangwell 5 years ago
Thanks again for the amazing work already carried out and for the next phase of work. You have made such a difference already, and you have a great deal of support in the town, even if not many let you know! I hope you can eventually restore the Ocean Theatre in the future and reopen it. I had the chance to see the ironworks briefly last year and it still is so evocative of its time.
Nigel Brown 5 years ago
Hi Susan, many thanks for your kind comments and we are glad that you had a good time with us.