Walton Pier put on the market for £2.5million (From Gazette)

Walton Pier put on the market for £2.5million

ONE of north Essex’s biggest tourist attractions has been put up for sale at £2.5million.

Up for sale – owners have put a £2.5m price tag on Walton Pier

Walton Pier was bought by owner New Walton Pier Company Ltd in 2005, but it is now looking to sell up.

A £2.5million price-tag has been slapped on the attraction, which includes a bowling alley, fairground rides and amusement arcades, as well as a cafe and bar.

Tim Gooding, director of Christie, which is handling the sale, said: “It is quite rare for a pier like this to come on to the market, mainly because there are not really that many around the country.

“Piers tend to trade well and make money, as this one does, and it is a bit unusual to see them appear for sale.”

The seller’s website says the pier’s total income over the past year was £1.3million.

Mr Gooding added: “The current owners have put a lot into it and invested heavily, and the reason behind the sale is that they now want to bring their assets together. They own several piers and other businesses and want to reinvest their money elsewhere.

“Though it has not been on the market long, the pier has already generated some interest and we will be looking at any offers that come in.”

New Walton Pier Company Ltd is made up of a team of directors, who also own a pier and an animal park in Great Yarmouth.

Walton pier is the third longest in the country at 792.5m, behind Southend and Southport.

Town mayor John Halls said: “Our pier has always been a major attraction and an important part of our town.

“It is a great asset to Walton and brings no end of tourists to our coast throughout the year.

“A lot has gone into it over the years to maintain it as one of the top attractions, and hopefully someone steps up and takes over to keep it that way.”

The New Walton Pier Company directors were unavailable for comment.