A former nightclub on a town pier has been transformed into a new pirate-themed attraction.

People have teed off with a new indoor attraction at the Claremont Pier in Lowestoft proving popular.

Lowestoft Journal: Pirates at the Claremont has opened in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick HowesPirates at the Claremont has opened in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

The new miniature golf course - Pirates at the Claremont - was officially opened last Friday, with the mayor of Lowestoft, Sonia Barker, unveiling the facility.

Lowestoft Journal: Charmaine Llewellyn with the mayor of Lowestoft Sonia Barker at the opening of Pirates at the Claremont in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick HowesCharmaine Llewellyn with the mayor of Lowestoft Sonia Barker at the opening of Pirates at the Claremont in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

The former nightclub - situated upstairs at the pier - has now been transformed into an 18-hole adventure golf course complete with a pirate ship, town square, fort, cave, desert island, dockyard and jail.

Welcoming an "enthusiastic crowd" who turned out to have a go, the mayor of Lowestoft teed off with the first ball to be played on the course.

Lowestoft Journal: Charmaine Llewellyn with the mayor of Lowestoft Sonia Barker at the opening of Pirates at the Claremont in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick HowesCharmaine Llewellyn with the mayor of Lowestoft Sonia Barker at the opening of Pirates at the Claremont in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Cllr Barker said: "Its really great to be here at Pirates at the Claremont and congratulations to Ben and Charmaine Llewellyn (pier directors) for bringing this to Lowestoft."

After new owners took over Claremont Pier in the summer of 2020, the family-run business - run by owners, Edward and Charmaine Mayne, their eldest daughter Victoria Manning and her husband Michael Manning, son Ernie Mayne as well as daughter Charmaine Llewellyn and her husband Ben Llewellyn - have made significant investments in the pier.

After closing the 820-person capacity nightclub last August, the pier owners had set about bringing something new to town.

Lowestoft Journal: Charmaine Llewellyn with the mayor of Lowestoft Sonia Barker at the opening of Pirates at the Claremont in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick HowesCharmaine Llewellyn with the mayor of Lowestoft Sonia Barker at the opening of Pirates at the Claremont in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Of the 18-hole wonderland, Ben Llewellyn, pier director, said: "For a seaside business, we have a beach bar, fish and chip shop, an amusement arcade - all designed around when the sun is shining in summer.

"This will allow us to be the seaside location for all year round entertainment and fun for the entire family, come rain or shine."

Lowestoft Journal: Charmaine Llewellyn with the mayor of Lowestoft Sonia Barker at the opening of Pirates at the Claremont in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick HowesCharmaine Llewellyn with the mayor of Lowestoft Sonia Barker at the opening of Pirates at the Claremont in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

With "nothing else quite like it in the town," the pier owners added: "We want to thank everyone who attended on opening weekend."

'New life' brought to Pier

The crazy golf course was built by Shropshire-based Western Signs and Printing, with the company having "diversified" into completing "more themed environments and signage".

Paul Hughes, owner of Western Signs and Printing, said: "This is our first venture into adventure golf.

"We have done a lot of Christmas events recently and it is a bit of a change now doing pirates from the North Pole.

"When we came to design this one we wanted it not just to be random holes, but there to be an actual story behind it.

"So you start off in jail, where you are locked up and you have to break out.

"We wanted to make sure there was a story that people could follow - its not just a golf course, its an adventure."

Admitting the company was pleased to see the finished version, Mr Hughes added that the attraction "brings new life to the upstairs of the Pier."

Pirates at the Claremont is currently open from 10am to 10pm.

Entry costs £7.50 per person, with a 50p discount for those paying cash.