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pier ride offering. In the succeeding years there were major additions to the pier, including the
Whirlwind roller coaster, a circus, ice rink, a roller rink and even a water slide; unfortunately not all of the additions were a success and the pier company struggled financially on a couple of occasions until eventually in around 1993 the operating company went into receivership which is where it remained for around about one year.
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The first
Clacton Pier, which opened on 27 July 1871 was the first public building officially opened in the all-new resort of Clacton-on-Sea. A wooden structure 160 yards (150 m) in length and 4 yards (3.7 m) wide, the pier served as a landing point for goods and passengers, a docking point
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By 1971, the pier was under the control of Barney
Kingsman (Earnest Kingsman's Son) and with visitor numbers declining a decision was made to sell the Pier. It was sold privately during the year to Michael Goss. The Goss family already had the majority share in neighbouring Walton Pier. Goss ran the
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In 1994, a local businessman and his family, the
Harrisons, bought the pier. They embarked on an ambitious and successful modernisation project to attract 20th century day trippers. The pier emerged as a modern amusement park, unusual in that there are rides as you first enter, with the rest dotted
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ride. The ride started its life under the ownership of Brian
Collins at Alton Towers in 1979. The ride left Alton Towers with Collins to open at the short-lived Atlas Park in Clacton-on-Sea (formerly Butlin's Clacton) in 1984. The ride was sold to Keith Emmett in 1987 and spent the season at Sandy
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August 1981 saw local businessmen
Francis McGinty, John Treadwell, Denis McGinty and David Howe take ownership of the pier from Michael Goss with plans for a major redevelopment, including the possibility of a bar and disco, reintroduction of the dolphins to the dolphinarium and an upgrade of the
215:, and a focal and meeting-point for promenading. By 1893, Clacton had become such a popular destination for day trippers that the pier was lengthened to 1180 ft (360m) and entertainment facilities, including a pavilion and a waiting room, were added to accommodate them.
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A double deck figure-8 go kart track, located on part of the site of the old swimming pool. A similar ride (but with electric pick-up powered karts) called "Speedway" operated on site many years ago.
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Bay in
Exmouth, Devon. At the end of 1987 the ride was sold to Albert Heal who operated Peter Pan's Playground on Brighton seafront, and the ride remained in place until the end of 1994.
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In 1973, a fire caused significant structural damage to the pier, particularly the roller coaster. In 1978, a severe storm caused additional significant structural weakness.
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pier as a successful amusement centre until he eventually grew frustrated with the lack of support from the local authority and decided it was time to sell up and retire.
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Rollercoaster featuring one inversion, replacing Stella's
Revenge. Initially planned to be opened for the 2020 season, but delayed due to storm damage in February 2020.
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190:. The pier hosts rides, ten-pin bowling, arcades, a seaquarium, golf and a soft-play centre – as well as numerous food, drink and retail outlets.
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At the end of the First World War, the pier was bought by Ernest
Kingsman, and it remained in the ownership of his family until 1971.
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A Reverchon Log Flume ride, consisting of multiple 'boats', styled as logs, which traverse a small circuit, featuring two drops.
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A junior figure-8 rollercoaster suitable for small children, with a mouse-themed train. Formerly called "Speedy
Gonzales".
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A traditional Lighthouse Slip slide, originally built in 1949. An almost identical ride operated on site many years ago.
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In March 2009 the pier was purchased by the Clacton Pier Company, who installed a new focal point, a 50 ft
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supported by Betty Martin and Gordon Norville. Gene Durham continued to headline until 1950, when
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324:. Originally built in 1949 and used in a travelling show, it was featured in a 2008/2009
702:"Experience 360 meters of "All Weather" traditional seaside fun and a whole lot more..."
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were kept and displayed on the pier at the site of the former open-air swimming pool.
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A small set of Bumper Boats located on part of the site of the old swimming pool.
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A beach themed Miami ride. Other Miami rides have previously operated on site.
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Following the war, after significant refurbishment, the 1946 season began with
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A collection of vehicles on a dual-level track, suitable for young children.
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house, theatre called the Ocean Theatre, Blue Lagoon Dance Hall, Crystal
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110 ft observation wheel offering views of the Clacton coastline.
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731:"Clacton Pier named Pier Of The Year 2020! – National Piers Society"
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837:"A Clacton Childhood- Memories and Trivia from 1936 to 1955 (2)"
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Kingsman added some major improvements to the pier including an
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took over. In later years, season-long headline acts included
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New arrival at Clacton Pier is not just any helter skelter...
1030:"History of Fairs - Fairground Rides - Modern Rides - Twist"
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television advert. The helter-skelter collapsed during the
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896:"Storm-hit Clacton Pier helter-skelter 'back in 2014'"
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The Whales & Dolphins of Clacton Pier (1971-1985)
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1050:: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (
1014:: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (
996:. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013
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943:"Clacton Pier is crowned 2020 Pier of the Year"
186:. It was named Pier of the Year in 2020 by the
33:Clacton Pier viewed from the south west in 2004
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1032:. Archived from the original on 10 April 2014
969:"Observation Wheel Experience | Clacton Pier"
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781:"Clacton And District Local History Society"
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866:The Whales & Dolphins of Clacton-on-Sea
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251:headlining the traditional seaside show
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597:A Family ride of six Flying Elephants
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652:List of piers in the United Kingdom
317:throughout the length of the pier.
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1741:Grade II listed buildings in Essex
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835:Westwood, Peter (12 March 2008).
306:Gunfleet Sands Offshore Wind Farm
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949:. Press Association. 8 July 2020
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42:Working pier with landing stages
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336:Current Rides & Attractions
16:Pier in Clacton-on-Sea, England
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707:. Clacton Pier. Archived from
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678:. Clacton Pier. Archived from
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503:A modern version of a classic
343:Outdoor amusements on the pier
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1099:Clacton Pier Official Website
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213:Woolwich Steam Packet Company
86:The Clacton Pier Company Ltd
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1182:Piers in the United Kingdom
918:"New thrill ride announced"
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753:"Pier Map | Clacton Pier"
219:Post-World War I to 1970s
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1112:Awards and achievements
1104:Details on Clacton Pier
1070:Roller Coaster Database
898:. BBC. 12 November 2013
308:visible beyond the pier
109:1,180 feet (360 m)
1579:Royal Suspension Chain
1193:National Piers Society
1128:National Piers Society
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188:National Piers Society
973:www.clactonpier.co.uk
922:www.clactonpier.co.uk
757:www.clactonpier.co.uk
705:www.clactonpier.co.uk
676:www.clactonpier.co.uk
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297:End of the pier, 2015
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95:www.clactonpier.co.uk
1631:Ryde (Seaview Chain)
1414:St Anne's-on-the-Sea
1244:Brighton Palace Pier
1066:"Wild Mouse Coaster"
841:PeterWestwood Weblog
810:"The Heritage Trail"
513:Giant Helter Skelter
457:Kirdale Engineering
332:on 28 October 2013.
1359:Saltburn-by-the-Sea
847:on 16 February 2012
326:Marks & Spencer
274:From 1971 to 1985,
202:The pier circa 1895
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1428:Weston-super-Mare
871:2009-08-19 at the
787:on 4 February 2009
682:on 3 November 2013
544:Wild Mouse Coaster
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150:51.7855°N 1.1559°E
75:Official name
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1140:Succeeded by
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528:Aqua Blast Lagoon
453:Miami Beach Party
253:The Ocean Review,
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119:Opening date
106:Total length
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1132:Pier of the Year
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843:. Archived from
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592:Modern Products
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174:located in the
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101:Characteristics
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733:. 10 June 2015
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672:"Pier History"
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168:Clacton Pier
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122:27 July 1871
78:Clacton Pier
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1636:Scarborough
1546:Isle of Man
1537:St Julian's
1496:Aberystwyth
1338:Portsmouth
1254:Cleethorpes
1239:Bournemouth
902:21 February
603:Race-o-Rama
500:March 2001
434:White Water
289:Restoration
249:Gene Durham
194:Development
153: /
128:Coordinates
1730:Categories
1688:Colwyn Bay
1667:Portobello
1651:Withernsea
1605:Morecambe
1437:Grand Pier
1424:Teignmouth
1377:Royal Pier
1318:Lowestoft
1297:Wellington
1279:Felixstowe
1274:Eastbourne
1208:Blackpool
978:5 February
658:References
631:Mini Wheel
574:Scalextric
436:Log Flume
417:Big Wheel
261:Ted Rogers
209:steamships
138:51°47′08″N
1596:Fleetwood
1575:Brighton
1511:Llandudno
1506:Beaumaris
1447:Bandstand
1443:Weymouth
1409:Southwold
1404:Southport
1388:Southend
1382:Town Quay
1322:Claremont
1309:Herne Bay
1292:Britannia
1284:Gravesend
1075:24 August
851:24 August
460:May 2016
440:Reverchon
141:1°09′21″E
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1715:Category
1660:Scotland
1641:Shanklin
1614:West End
1473:Scotland
1464:Yarmouth
1459:Worthing
1452:Pleasure
1432:Birnbeck
1369:Skegness
1342:Clarence
1334:Paignton
1304:Hastings
1259:Clevedon
1234:Boscombe
1046:cite web
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953:4 August
927:4 August
869:Archived
762:4 August
737:4 August
715:20 March
686:20 March
646:See also
496:Sonacase
474:Maxwell
471:Waltzer
276:dolphins
265:Roy Hudd
231:lifeboat
178:town of
1672:Trinity
1609:Central
1591:Coatham
1569:England
1521:Swansea
1516:Penarth
1419:Swanage
1397:Railway
1364:Sandown
1249:Clacton
1212:Central
1202:England
1036:4 April
1000:4 April
491:Twister
482:Waltzer
421:Mondial
402:Pinfari
386:Opened
370:in 2013
356:in 2023
240:During
184:England
114:History
91:Website
47:Carries
1626:Redcar
1601:Lytham
1553:Ramsey
1501:Bangor
1480:Dunoon
1264:Cromer
588:Dumbos
235:Casino
65:Locale
50:People
1681:Wales
1489:Wales
1327:South
1314:Hythe
1222:South
1217:North
1137:2020
609:2021
565:2014
535:2016
519:2013
477:1995
444:2020
425:2021
406:2021
380:Name
170:is a
83:Owner
55:Spans
1693:Rhyl
1584:West
1392:Pier
1354:Ryde
1269:Deal
1077:2021
1052:link
1038:2017
1016:link
1002:2017
980:2022
955:2020
929:2020
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822:2009
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278:and
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