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Clacton Pier
Clacton Pier is a pier located in the seaside resort town of Clacton-on-Sea in England. It was named Pier of the Year in 2020 by the National Piers Society. The pier hosts rides, ten-pin bowling, arcades, 4D dinosaur exhibit, golf and a soft-play centre – as well as numerous food, drink and retail outlets.
The first Clacton Pier, which opened on 27 July 1871 was the first public building officially opened in the all-new resort of Clacton-on-Sea. A wooden structure 160 yards (150 m) in length and 4 yards (3.7 m) wide, the pier served as a landing point for goods and passengers, a docking point for steamships operated by the Woolwich Steam Packet Company, and a focal and meeting-point for promenading. By 1893, Clacton had become such a popular destination for day trippers that the pier was lengthened to 1180 ft (360m) and entertainment facilities, including a pavilion and a waiting room, were added to accommodate them.
At the end of the First World War, the pier was bought by Ernest Kingsman, and it remained in the ownership of his family until 1971.
Kingsman added some major improvements to the pier including an RNLI lifeboat house, theatre called the Ocean Theatre, Blue Lagoon Dance Hall, Crystal Casino, open-air stage, open-air swimming pool and roller coaster called Steel Stella.
During World War II, the Pier was breached to prevent it being used as a landing stage. A floating German mine also caused considerable damage.
Following the war, after significant refurbishment, the 1946 season began with Gene Durham headlining the traditional seaside show The Ocean Review, supported by Betty Martin and Gordon Norville. Gene Durham continued to headline until 1950, when Tony Hancock took over. In later years, season-long headline acts included Ted Rogers and Roy Hudd.
By 1971, the pier was under the control of Barney Kingsman (Earnest Kingsman's Son) and with visitor numbers declining a decision was made to sell the Pier. It was sold privately during the year to Michael Goss. The Goss family already had the majority share in neighbouring Walton Pier. Goss ran the pier as a successful amusement centre until he eventually grew frustrated with the lack of support from the local authority and decided it was time to sell up and retire.
From 1971 to 1985, dolphins and killer whales were kept and displayed on the pier at the site of the former open-air swimming pool.
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Clacton Pier
Clacton Pier is a pier located in the seaside resort town of Clacton-on-Sea in England. It was named Pier of the Year in 2020 by the National Piers Society. The pier hosts rides, ten-pin bowling, arcades, 4D dinosaur exhibit, golf and a soft-play centre – as well as numerous food, drink and retail outlets.
The first Clacton Pier, which opened on 27 July 1871 was the first public building officially opened in the all-new resort of Clacton-on-Sea. A wooden structure 160 yards (150 m) in length and 4 yards (3.7 m) wide, the pier served as a landing point for goods and passengers, a docking point for steamships operated by the Woolwich Steam Packet Company, and a focal and meeting-point for promenading. By 1893, Clacton had become such a popular destination for day trippers that the pier was lengthened to 1180 ft (360m) and entertainment facilities, including a pavilion and a waiting room, were added to accommodate them.
At the end of the First World War, the pier was bought by Ernest Kingsman, and it remained in the ownership of his family until 1971.
Kingsman added some major improvements to the pier including an RNLI lifeboat house, theatre called the Ocean Theatre, Blue Lagoon Dance Hall, Crystal Casino, open-air stage, open-air swimming pool and roller coaster called Steel Stella.
During World War II, the Pier was breached to prevent it being used as a landing stage. A floating German mine also caused considerable damage.
Following the war, after significant refurbishment, the 1946 season began with Gene Durham headlining the traditional seaside show The Ocean Review, supported by Betty Martin and Gordon Norville. Gene Durham continued to headline until 1950, when Tony Hancock took over. In later years, season-long headline acts included Ted Rogers and Roy Hudd.
By 1971, the pier was under the control of Barney Kingsman (Earnest Kingsman's Son) and with visitor numbers declining a decision was made to sell the Pier. It was sold privately during the year to Michael Goss. The Goss family already had the majority share in neighbouring Walton Pier. Goss ran the pier as a successful amusement centre until he eventually grew frustrated with the lack of support from the local authority and decided it was time to sell up and retire.
From 1971 to 1985, dolphins and killer whales were kept and displayed on the pier at the site of the former open-air swimming pool.