One
of the most popular attractions on Clacton Pier is undergoing a £40,000
facelift.
The
rooms in Discovery Bay soft play are being transformed with a new-look, some
name changes and exciting additions.
It
is all part of a larger project which will eventually include a refreshed play
frame and revamped party room at further cost to the budget.
Discovery
Bay will be six-years-old in July and this is first significant change since
extra seating booths were installed in 2021.
Pier
director Billy Ball said the work started before Christmas and will take
several months to complete.
“It
involves carpentry by an in-house team and a large amount of hand-painting by a
local scenic artist,” he added.
“He
is spending hundreds of hours to create an environment which will engage
children and also provide a quiet room where they will be read stories by an
animatronic owl. There will also be a nod to the pier’s and town’s past.
“Discovery
Bay is open 364 days a year and we want it to be the best it can be for our
customers.”
Wise
Owl’s Library will take over from a shop and will have bean bags and the owl,
which is being supplied by the company that provided the animatronic reindeer
in Santa’s Grotto, reading four different stories.
The
cinema is being renamed as Flicks with an art deco theme, enhanced lighting and
new films.
The
police station with jail is also being retained with new mock closed circuit
television system, new props and is being totally repainted.
The
Ocean Theatre will be created in the old marine workshop where children will be
able to perform and where entertainment can be staged in peak periods. It will
include stage lighting and play microphones.
Finally,
Oscars children’s disco is staying but getting a revamp with a new lighting and
sound system.
Scenes
are also being painted on blank walls outside the rooms. The same artist was
employed in the past in Jurassic Pier where he created a massive mural among
other features.
Ends
