Council rules out charging people to visit historic Cromer Pier

  • Rob Setchell chats to visitors enjoying Cromer Pier

It is one of East Anglia's most famous landmarks and a must-visit for the millions of people who holiday in the coastal town every year.

Cromer’s historic pier has been free to walk on for decades but there were suggestions this could change as part of efforts to plug a Norfolk council’s growing deficit.

The 150-metre-long structure is a major tourist attraction as Cromer is one of only five places left in the UK with a theatre at the end of its pier.

Steve Blatch, chief executive at the Liberal Democrat-controlled North Norfolk District Council recently proposed the measure at a recent committee meeting as one way to help solve the cash crisis it faces.

Visitors enjoying some late September sun on Cromer Pier Credit: LDR

But Tim Adams, Leader of North Norfolk District Council told ITV News Anglia that the council had ruled out the move.

"It's not the business model we want to follow" he said.

"We are under a great deal of pressure and it doesn’t look like the government are coming to the rescue.

"There’s more pressure on our residents to meet the cost but in terms of the conversation of charging for entry on the pier it is not a consideration that we’re looking at all."

Southend Pier already charges people to walk on it Credit: ITV News Anglia

Brighton Pier has recently introduced a £1 tariff and Bournemouth Pier charges £1.65.

Other piers that charge entry fees include the Grand Pier in Somerset, Southend and Yarmouth Pier on the Isle of Wight.

The discussion came as council officials work to find ways to make savings.

The council is facing a budget shortfall of £1.8million, it says due to rising contract and energy prices and a 'sharp rise' in providing temporary accomodation.

"Of course the pier costs a lot of money to maintain over the course of the year, but the income that support these assets really comes from car parking funds, to a certain level beach huts and other service charges" said Mr Adams.

"If we didn't have that level of income from those other sources then we wouldn't be able to sustain it" he added.

Adding donation points on Cromer Pier, extra advertising in the town and shutting public toilets, have all been proposed as ways of raising extra revenue.

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