December 19, 2022

Work is progressing on preparing for a major new attraction on Clacton Pier.

An in-house team has been busy stripping out the 40-year-old seaquarium which is making way for an exciting bespoke dinosaur themed area to be introduced next Spring.

Jurassic Pier – as it is being branded - will involve a walk-through experience leading into a full special effects 4D cinema.

A start is to be made on some of the new build this week and will carry on alongside the annual maintenance programme of the site.

Pier director Billy Ball said that it is a busy time for the team.

“Work started on clearing out and dismantling the seaquarium as soon as it closed last month,” he said. “We have surrendered the licence and the sea life has all been rehomed to various sites, including public aquariums.

“The Jurassic project is well under way now and will continue throughout the winter. We are expecting the animatronic dinosaurs to be shipped in the New Year and the motion theatre is due to arrive at the end of January.

“At the same time, we are carrying out our regular maintenance, annual ride inspections and other important activities.

“The aim is still to have Jurassic Pier up and operational with an opening date in Spring 2023.”

The attraction will include motion seats, 3-D glasses, water-squirters, wind and lighting to make it a fully immersive experience.

The cinema is being provided by Simworx of Dudley in the West Midlands, one of the world's top suppliers of motion simulation technology.

The decision to close the seaquarium was announced in October due to new higher standards and rising costs.

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