Almost one million people poured through the doors of Clacton Pier over
the past 12 months, it has been revealed.
New equipment installed at the attraction at the end of August last year
counted more than 930,000 visitors up to the last Bank Holiday weekend.
It is a significant increase on previous years and has been put down to
the additional all year round facilities provided for customers.
Pier Director Billy Ball said it had justified all the hard work and
investment that had been put into the improvements, such as Discovery Bay Adventure
Play and Skull Point Golf.
“When Butlins was still operating in Clacton the Pier would get around
one million visitors every year and that dropped to about 500,000 the first
year after the holiday camp closed,” he said.
“Those attendances have never really recovered, and we have recently
estimated them to be between 500,000 and 600,000 people in recent years.
“It is a major jump up to 930,000 and we must be doing something right.
It certainly does not mean that we have seen a similar rise in income because
of all the increased costs, such as wages for the rise in the number of staff.
“However, the first step is to get people onto the Pier and then create
the offer that gets them to part with more money.
“What we have achieved is more activity for the business and the right
sort of vibrant atmosphere where people will then spend more money.”
Mr Ball added that the aim is to continue improve the offer with other
plans in the pipeline, such as new rides and the revamp of the Jolly Roger
building into a multi-purpose venue.
“We have more facilities open all year round than ever before which
helps boost our sustainability as a 364-day a year attraction.
“We are satisfied with the performance, but we are not breaking any
records yet.”
This weekend the Pier is looking forward to welcoming the Armed Forces
and their families as well as veterans for a weekend of free fun. More details
can be found at www.clactonpier.co.uk
The Pier will also be open to other customers.
Ends
