Bosses at Clacton Pier will be
looking for a bumper bank holiday weekend to boost a sluggish start to the
school Easter holidays.
Chilly temperatures and a quiet first
week have affected trade but the hopes are that will all change.
A four-day bank holiday – usually one
of the busiest of the year – and a better weather forecast are expected to
provide a much-needed boost.
A full programme of family fun for
all ages has been set up including free fireworks, live music, children’s
entertainment and an Easter egg hunt.
Dumbo, one of the attraction’s
favourite rides, is also returning at the weekend following a complete
refurbishment.
Pier director Billy Ball said its
fingers crossed for sunshine and plenty of visitors.
“The school holiday has been a bit of
a slow burner so far, but it has always been that way when Easter comes right
at the end of the holiday,” he said.
“We are confident that with better
weather on the way that families will come along and enjoy all the free entertainment
we have lined-up, along with our normal attractions.
“The Dumbo ride has been on the pier
for getting on for 20 years and it will be good to see it back after a total overhaul
as it is very popular with the younger children.”
Sunday will see the first free
fireworks extravaganza of 2022 – one of ten this year – and the display will
start around 9pm.
On the same day there will be an
Easter egg hunt with the first 200 children taking part receiving a free egg
and everyone who enters will go into a draw to win an annual ride pass.
There will also be a free egg for the
first 300 children going into Discovery Bay soft play on the Sunday.
On Good Friday Words and Music will
be providing live music at the Boardwalk Bar and Grill with Steve Ritchie
performing on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday it’s Faye Phillips followed by SMC
from 6pm to 10pm.
James Magic will be up to his fun and
tricks in the Boardwalk all four days from 2pm to 5pm.
It will be the first time the pier
will be open for the Easter weekend for three years and full details of can be
found at clactonpier.co.uk
Ends
