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.
