Clacton Pier viewed from the south west |
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| Official name | Clacton Pier |
|---|---|
| Type | Working pier with landing stages |
| Carries | People |
| Spans | North Sea |
| Locale | Clacton-on-Sea |
| Owner | Clacton Pier Company Ltd |
| Total length | 394 yards (360 m) |
| Opening date | 27 July 1871 |
Clacton Pier is a pier located in the seaside resort of Clacton-on-Sea
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Officially the first building of the new resort of Clacton-on-Sea, the pier was officially opened on 27 July 1871, as a wooden structure 160 yards (150 m) in length and 4 yards (3.7 m) wide.[1] The pier was originally built as a landing point for goods and passengers, and from when it opened Steamships operated by the Woolwich Steam Packet Company which docked at the pier; it soon also became popular for promenading.[2] By the 1890s Clacton was becoming an increasingly popular destination for day trippers and in 1893 the pier was lengthened to 1180 ft (360m), and entertainment facilities including a pavilion and a waiting room were added.[2]
At the end of the First World War, the pier was bought by Ernest Kingsman and remained in the ownership of the Kingsman family until 1971.
Kingsman added some major developments to the pier including: a RNLI lifeboat house; one theatre, the Ocean Theatre; the classically named Blue Lagoon Dance Hall; the Crystal Casino; an open air stage; and an open air swimming pool and a roller coaster.[1]
Unfortunately, during World War II, Clacton became a target for departing Luftwaffe bombers, with the metallic pier on a reflective sea an easy target or aiming point. The casino and one theatre were casualties of war, and they were subsequently demolished; further, parts of the pier had been sectioned off to prevent enemy invasion.
Following the war, after a significant refurbishment campaign, the 1946 season kicked off 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.[3]
From 1971 to 1985 dolphins and killer whales were kept and displayed on the pier, on the site of the former open air swimming pool.[4]
In 1973, a fire caused significant damage to the structure and roller coaster particularly, and in 1978 a storm caused more significant structural weakness.
In 1994, a local businessman and his family, the Harrisons, bought the pier. They embarked on an ambitious and successful modernisation project to attract 21st century day trippers. The pier emerged as a modern amusement park, virtually unique in the sense that there are rides as you first enter, with the rest dotted throughout the length of the pier.
In March 2009 the pier was purchased by the Clacton Pier Company, who installed a new focal point, a 50 ft helter skelter. Originally built in 1949 and used in a travelling show, it was featured in a 2008/2009 Marks & Spencer television advert.[5]