Bosses at Clacton Pier are predicting a “very average” summer’s trading after a mixed bag of weather hit visitor numbers over the bank holiday.
The attraction’s takings from the two days of the town’s airshow which was followed by the three-day bank holiday were down on last year.
It is usually a bumper period and hopes now rely on a busy end to the season to provide a boost to figures with a promising weather forecast over the coming week.
General Manager Harry Peek said the main issue from last Thursday to Monday was the lack of a settled picture.
“We had just about everything – bright sunshine, heavy rain, and very high winds – which took their toll on business,” he explained.
“The first day of the airshow was better than expected considering the weather, but then there was a dip on Friday. Saturday was a complete washout, and Sunday and Monday were ok.”
“It is disappointing because we had enjoyed a very good four weeks running up to the bank holiday after a slow start in June and July.”
Mr Peek said that overall the summer will be a very average one in terms of takings.
“Even if we have a great end to the season no records will be broken, but equally it has not been a disaster,” he added.
“It will just go down as one of those ‘so, so’ years and that is mainly due to the poor and very changeable weather in general.
“Luckily our recent addition in indoor attractions make us more weather-proof than before and we are much less dependent on only summer money.”
The pier supported the Clacton Airshow with a spectacular free fireworks display on Thursday – the biggest and best of the summer – which was set to music celebrating a journey through more than 100 years of British aviation history.
There was a further free display on Sunday with the final one of the year to be staged on November 5.
It has been decided to keep the attraction’s rides open on September 2 and 3 as some schools will not have gone back. They could be open longer if the weather holds and there is the demand, before they return to weekend only opening.
“We are now concentrating on three major events coming up – Oktoberfest, Halloween and Christmas – so there is plenty to look forward to,” said Mr Peek.
