Claremont Pier facts for kids
The Claremont Pier looking towards front.
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| Official name | Claremont Pier |
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| Type | Pleasure Pier |
| Design | D. Fox |
| Owner | Charmaine and Edward Mayne and Family |
| Total length | 600 feet (180 m) |
| Opening date | 1903 |
| Coordinates | 52°27′57″N 1°44′47″E / 52.4657°N 1.7464°E |
The Claremont Pier is a classic seaside pier located in Lowestoft, a town in the English county of Suffolk. It first opened in 1903. The pier got its name from the nearby Claremont Road. During World War II, parts of the pier were removed to stop enemies from using it for an invasion. Later, it was fixed using a special type of bridge called a Bailey bridge. The army then used the pier for training.
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History of the Claremont Pier
The Coast Development Company built the Claremont Pier. It opened in 1903. At first, it was a place for "Belle steamers" (a type of boat) to dock. The pier was designed by D. Fox. It was originally 600 feet long. In 1912, a T-shaped landing area was added, making it 760 feet long.
Mid-20th Century Changes
Boat services at the pier stopped in 1939. The last time boats used it was to bring children and families escaping from London during the war. In 1940, like many piers, parts of it were taken away. This was a defense plan to stop any enemy invasion.
When the danger of invasion passed, the missing section was filled with a Bailey bridge. This is a type of portable, pre-fabricated bridge. The pier then became an Army training center during World War II. It was used by the army until 1948.
By 1948, the pier was empty and falling apart. Lowestoft Town Council decided not to buy it for £4,000. Instead, an actor named George Studd took it over for a year. He started to repair the pier. After more repairs in the 1950s, a big storm in 1962 washed away a section. This made the pier shorter, at 720 feet long.
Late 20th Century and Beyond
In the 1990s, the Scott family took over the pier. They did some repair work on the part of the pier closest to the shore. However, much of the pier still needed fixing. The part of the pier near the land had a nightclub, an amusement arcade, rides for children, a restaurant, and a take-away food place.
In 2005, the pier was put up for sale for £2.8 million, but it didn't sell. In April 2018, it was for sale again for £2.5 million. By January 2020, it still hadn't sold, and the price dropped to £1.25 million. The Scott family had owned the pier for 50 years by this time.
The pier was finally sold in the summer of 2020. The new owners reopened it in July 2020. They also opened the restaurant and an ice cream shop. The new owners hope to reopen the main pier deck so people can walk along it again. This would cost a lot of money, possibly between £1.5 million and £3 million. They would likely need grants or lottery funding to make it happen.
What Can You Do at the Pier?
The Claremont Pier offers fun activities. You can go roller skating there. It also hosts live music events. There is a restaurant where you can get food.
Images for kids
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PS Walton Belle sailed from Great Yarmouth via Lowestoft and intermediate piers to Clacton
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The Claremont Pier in 2016
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