Weston tourism boom after pier fire
MORE people are visiting Weston-super-Mare compared to this time last year, as crowds flock to see the resort's fire-ravaged Grand Pier.
Tourism chiefs say the number of trippers has soared since the pavilion was destroyed on Monday.
Pier spokesman Edward Keating said “thousands” had visited the pier since it reopened on Thursday.
The number of trippers is expected to swell even further next week as 18 coachloads of tourists – about 900 people – arrive from Coventry on Monday for an annual day out.
The trip has been being organised by the charity Working Actively to Change Hillfields (WATCH).
WATCH community development worker John Shannon said: “We heard about the fire on the pier, but it didn't stop us coming.
“Although we are sad about the pier, there is so much more to enjoy for us to enjoy and see in the town.”
Many visitors made the walk along the pier on Thursday and Friday to the fencing surrounding the charred pavilion to see the damage close up.
The town's tourist information centre has been inundated with inquiries from people asking about the pier and wanting to make a trip to the town to view the devastation.
Staff at the centre said they had welcomed an extra 1,000 people through the doors.
Train operators First said it had seen an increase in the number of people travelling to the resort.
Spokesman Dan Panes said: “We were fearing a reduction in passenger numbers following the fire, but it looks like the opposite is happening.”
Nick Mager, who runs the donkey rides on the seafront, said: “The fire is the general topic of conversation among visitors. I am just hoping the tourists come back next year to watch the pier being rebuilt.”
Pete Swaysland, who has run the Rock Shop on the seafront for 19 years, said people had been rushing to buy postcards of the pier.
Hoteliers have also seen a rise in the number of inquiries
Weston Hotels and Restaurants Association president Keith Fearn, who runs the Corbiere Hotel, said: “People are not cancelling their holidays and are still keen to come.”
19 Comments
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by David, Horfield
Monday, August 04 2008, 11:10AM
“I don't suppose the increase in visitors over last year has anything to do with the weather...
How do the number of visitors compare to 2006?”
by Bob, Auckland, NZ
Monday, August 04 2008, 3:45AM
“Grew up in Bristol/Saltford, the pier was always a great treat, even on a recent trip 'home'. Hope the rebuild goes ahead..”
by julie lewis, Queensland, Australia
Monday, August 04 2008, 3:05AM
“Remember goin to wsm pier as a child.Always scared to walk on it...afraid i would fall through the cracks in the floor!!. Sad to see it go up in flames. What was the cause of the fire anyway?. Sad to hear that the owners are scroungeing off the public but its typical of the wealthy....thats why some of them have so much money!!!.Will they prove that the "donations"..are used for the right purpose?... I wonder.”
by Dave, Bristol
Sunday, August 03 2008, 5:08PM
“I visited the pier today and was greeted with a barrier with a notice saying about donations £1.00 per adult and 50p per child. I put in 50p as a DONATION and the guy reminded me it was a donation, i said yeh your quite right. its is a donation and i donated 50p, i politely reminded him that a donation is NOT compulsory and i went through unchallenged, likewise many people pehind was popping in 10/20p's and still went through.”
by Dave Burrington, Southampton
Sunday, August 03 2008, 5:06PM
“I lived in Bristol from 1948-83 and constantly had trips to weston super mare, and especially on the pier. Such an iconic part of weston has gone, but out of the ruins the new generation pier will be borne.”