August 26, 2019

Phew what a scorcher – but no records were broken on Clacton Pier over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Around 35,000 people poured onto the attraction during the five days starting with the town’s airshow last Thursday.

The figure was down on the same period last year but spend was up on a couple of those days.

Pier Director Billy Ball said that overall he was very satisfied with business and the positive response of customers.

“We carried out our own survey and about 40 per cent of people were coming to the Pier for the first time and they said they would definitely come back,” he said.

“There was very positive feedback all round which all bodes well when we move into our autumn and winter events programme with Evil on Sea, our Halloween family festival and our Christmas activities.

“There was a lot of interest in what we are doing, and I am sure we will get some of those customers coming back later in the year.”

Mr Ball added that continual hot weather all day for five days may actually have worked against a higher footfall.

“On those sort of days people can tend to stay put on the beach – and that is understandable. However, if it cools down later in the afternoon, we find people then come up to the Pier, and that did not happen this weekend,” he said.

“The busiest day was Thursday with 8,159 visitors on the Pier and then Sunday with 7,629.

“People were delighted with the free fireworks displays we hosted on those two days – the first in conjunction with Tendring Council and the airshow – and we even got a round of applause and cheering at the end of each display.”

Mr Ball added it was long hot weekend for staff and he thanked them for their efforts.

“Overall, the hundreds of thousands who came to Clacton over the airshow and bank holiday saw the town at its best with the sun shining and that has to be positive for everyone involved in Tendring’s leisure industry.”

Ends