May 27, 2019

Three Bank Holiday weekends in just over a month have taken their toll on business at Clacton Pier.

A late Easter followed quickly by the two in May reduced the number of visitors compared to the same weekends last year.

The weather also had an effect with less people in the town than was hoped for.

Pier Managing Director Billy Ball said that it is small factors that can make a huge difference in takings.

“Last year we had some exceptionally hot weather and record attendances for May,” he said.

“This time the forecast was not so good and although it only rained on Sunday afternoon it definitely affected the numbers turning out.

“Add to that the three Bank Holiday weekends very close together - and the cost of that for families - then things were down. It is better to have these weekends strung out further apart.

“However, it was not a disaster and we had 7,500 on the Pier on Sunday with 2,000 attending the free fireworks in the evening. Monday was also better than Saturday.”

Mr Ball said that the Seaside Revival Day staged on the Greensward seemed to be successful and welcomed all initiatives to pull in the crowds.

“There is the promise of a hot summer to come so we shall just have to see if that materialises,” he added.

Clacton Pier welcomed back its circus presented by Fantasia for the Whitsun holiday and also had free live children’s and musical entertainment on offer.

The indoor areas – such as Discovery Bay and the amusements – were busy throughout.