January 22, 2024

One of the most popular attractions on Clacton Pier is undergoing a £40,000 facelift.

The rooms in Discovery Bay soft play are being transformed with a new-look, some name changes and exciting additions.

It is all part of a larger project which will eventually include a refreshed play frame and revamped party room at further cost to the budget.

Discovery Bay will be six-years-old in July and this is first significant change since extra seating booths were installed in 2021.

Pier director Billy Ball said the work started before Christmas and will take several months to complete.

“It involves carpentry by an in-house team and a large amount of hand-painting by a local scenic artist,” he added.

“He is spending hundreds of hours to create an environment which will engage children and also provide a quiet room where they will be read stories by an animatronic owl. There will also be a nod to the pier’s and town’s past.

“Discovery Bay is open 364 days a year and we want it to be the best it can be for our customers.”

Wise Owl’s Library will take over from a shop and will have bean bags and the owl, which is being supplied by the company that provided the animatronic reindeer in Santa’s Grotto, reading four different stories.

The cinema is being renamed as Flicks with an art deco theme, enhanced lighting and new films.

The police station with jail is also being retained with new mock closed circuit television system, new props and is being totally repainted.

The Ocean Theatre will be created in the old marine workshop where children will be able to perform and where entertainment can be staged in peak periods. It will include stage lighting and play microphones.

Finally, Oscars children’s disco is staying but getting a revamp with a new lighting and sound system.

Scenes are also being painted on blank walls outside the rooms. The same artist was employed in the past in Jurassic Pier where he created a massive mural among other features.

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