Works to restore Claremont Pier in Lowestoft progresses

Since it was constructed in 1902, opening a year later, Claremont Pier has stood for 120 years at the heart of town on Lowestoft's South Beach.

And work to restore the famous Lowestoft landmark is gathering pace - with more than half of a 60-metre stretch of the pier now re-decked and handrails installed to make it accessible again for the public.

The redecked Claremont Pier in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

After being taken over by new owners in the summer of 2020, they set their sights on long term plans to restore a 60-metre stretch of the 150m-long pier deck.

Now, more than a year after the first wooden planks were laid as part of an ambitious appeal, over half - around 40m - has been restored to its former glory.

Ben Llewellyn, director, as work continues on the re-decked Claremont Pier in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

It has seen people using the seaward end of the pier once more as it is accessible again for the first time in what is believed to be more than 40 years.

The 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 already made significant investment in the pier - which has recently been added to with new signage at the front of the landmark.

New signage at Claremont Pier in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

More than three years on from purchasing the pier from the Scott family - who had owned the pier for decades - Claremont Pier owners the Mayne, Manning and Llewellyn family are hopeful that by next winter the 60m "goal" of reinstating the decking "so that the general public can walk out on the pier" will be completed.

Ben Llewellyn, director of Claremont Pier, said: "We are getting there.

Ben Llewellyn, director, as work continues on the re-decked Claremont Pier in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"Our goal is 60m we are at 40m."

Praise for the public

Last year the pier's owners launched a fundraising appeal "to help restore the pier to its former glory."

Claremont Pier in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

To fund the restoration work they are selling the old pier planking, with the decking boards engraved as "a piece of local history" as part of an ongoing 'sponsor a board' initiative.

With the total estimated cost of re-decking the whole 60m stretch between £150,000 and £200,000, the first milestone was achieved in August 2022 as the first eight-metre section of the pier was restored.

Ben Llewellyn, director of Claremont Pier, on the newly re-decked pier in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Now after around 40m of pier has been re-decked, with installations completed last month, Mr Llewellyn said: "Without the local community helping us out we would not get anywhere near where we are today."

Around £100,000 has already been spent on the works, with the pier's owners investing "about £40,000," and the public "raising £60,000" in donations and proceeds from the 'sponsor a board' initiative.

Claremont Pier in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

For £99, people can have a personalised message engraved into one of the new decking boards.

Mr Llewellyn said: "There are some very sentimental messages, and people do come out here and read them - it is a nice feature to the pier."

New signage at Claremont Pier in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Among the poignant messages featuring already on the pier are: "My happy place", and a trio stating: "Moved here 2022" "We live here" and "We followed them."

Support the re-decking project online.

History of the pier

The 600ft Claremont Pier was constructed for the Coast Development Company in 1902/3.

Claremont Pier postcard from years gone by. Picture: Courtesy of Claremont Pier (Image: Courtesy of Claremont Pier)

Paddle steamers used to berth at the pier as it was a landing stage for Belle steamers.

A bird's eye view of the pier from 2005 Picture: Mike Page (Image: Mike Page)

In 1912/13, the T-shaped pier-head was developed, taking it to around 760ft.

Steamer services ended in 1939 and in 1940, the Royal Engineers blasted a hole in the pier to stop the Luftwaffe using it as a possible landing place.

Claremont Pier plaque. Picture: Courtesy of Claremont Pier (Image: Courtesy of Claremont Pier)

The pier later became an army training centre, but in 1962, the pier-head and some of the main structure were destroyed by storms, reducing it to 720ft.

Claremont Pier has always proved popular as has the town's beach Picture: Newsquest Library (Image: Newsquest)