Work has started on phase one of a master plan to refurbish Clacton Pier
and make it an all-weather 52 weeks a year attraction.
The projects already underway are costing in excess of £225,000 – but
the total amount to be invested will be a seven figure sum.
They involve modernising and strengthening the infrastructure of the
Pier ready for a significant upgrade and phase two which will take place from
the end of the season.
This week piles and beam repairs to the east side of the structure and
the car park will get underway. The area being upgraded is relatively untouched
from the 1930s and will be transformed.
Pier Director Billy Ball said that the areas under refurbishment are 90
years old and the aim is improve them ready for the next 90 years and more.
“We have already removed an old workshop on the east side and
reconcreted ready for new attractions later this year,” he said.
“People have started to notice that something is taking place and we
will be putting up a sign on the wall on the east side saying ‘Watch this space
– more fun to come.’
“We hope to keep any disruption to an absolute minimum but we can
achieve much more in the summer when the weather is in our favour and the long
term gain will be worth the short term pain.”
The existing parking area on the Pier is to be removed and replaced with
more outside seating and used to extend the food and drink offer. At the same
time it will improve safety as it will mean less vehicle movements in that
area.
On the west side of the Pier a scheme is already underway to replace an
old transformer with a new one which will provide all the power needed to run
the Pier as it adds new features.
“We will be doubling the amount of power available and getting rid of an
old transformer which has been there since the year dot,” added Mr Ball.
“The replacement will be to modern standards and much more
environmentally friendly.
“This is all just a taster of what is to come over the next 12 months
and beyond as we try to make every square foot of the Pier to pay for itself.
“We have six acres of real estate sticking out into the sea and when we
took over nothing was being done with about four acres – and that had to
change.
“Everything we do is about sustainability and making a 146-year-old
structure relevant to today’s leisure needs.”
The Pier also recently spent £12,000 on a new sign, having taken down
the old one, and upgraded the frontage at a cost of around £25,000.
