Wellington Pier

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**Wellington Pier**
Official name	Wellington Pier
Type	Pleasure Pier
Design	P Ashcroft
Owner	Family Amusements
Total length	212
Opening date	31st October 1853

Wellington Pier is in the seaside Town of Great Yarmouth in the English county of Norfolk^[1].

[edit] History

The Pier was opened on the 31st October 1853 and the 700 foot wooden structure had cost £6,776 to build. The pier was designed by P. Ashcroft. In its first year open the pier was a huge success and made an impressive profit for then, of £581. Five years later a second pier was built close to the Wellington which had a very large financial effect on the profitability of the pier. By 1899 Great Yarmouth Corporation bailed out the failing business for the sum of £1,250 and had plans to improve the entertainment and amusement of the pier. On July 13th 1903 a new Pavilion was opened and a failed Winter gardens was bought from Torquay and was incorporated into the design of the pier.

[edit] 20th Century

In the early 1970’s the pier was substantial strengthened with major steelwork renovations taking place. It was brought by Jim Davidson in 1996 and he soon found out how hard it was to repair. He invested around £750,000 of his own money, this was spent on the inside, but the outside was left as the lottery or local projects did not fund it. So it stood empty till is was demolished in 2005. By 2005 the front part of the pier has been totally re-developed as an amusment arcade.

The further text is added and will be updated by Gerry, technician at the Wellington Pier. This update 2/1/08

The Winter Gardens is now a large children's indoor play area, with cafe and bar. By April 2008 the 'end' of the pier will be a large bowling alley and bars. The original Steel, iron work has been restorted to be included in the new building. A stained glass picture which is 80 feet long and was found during the removal of the original Wellington pier theatre structure, has been restored and will be the centre piece of the entrance to the new complex. It depicts sail ships sailing into the port of Great Yarmouth. Visit the web-site at http://www.wellington-pier.co.uk/index.asp