Claremont Pier came along in 1903, and its supporters still insist that it is Lowestoft’s only ‘proper’ pier – the South Pier being a sort of pier-cum-habour-wall. From the early days through to the Second World War, the pier did very well out of the pleasure boat business, with steamers coming up from London Bridge. As with many piers up and down the country, the outbreak of hostilities put paid to that, and Claremont Pier was taken over by the army. Selfishly, the army kept hold of it after the war was over, using it as a ‘training centre’ until 1948.

The steamers never came back, and the pier was left abandoned. The local authorities made it plain that they wanted nothing to do with it, and it became clear that the Claremont needed a saviour. Step forward George Studd, actor and celebrity smoker. The avuncular Studd took over, and while he didn’t set the world on fire, he nevertheless saw that some much needed repairs were carried out – by 1950 the pier had a new concrete platform and a pavilion.

Unfortunately, further damage over the years has left the pier somewhat the worse for wear. Although much has been done to restore the shoreward end, the pier head is very run-down and remains closed to the public. Still, there’s a fair bit of entertainment to be had on what’s left of it, with an amusement arcade, take-away food and all the rest of it. Special mention should go to Captain Nemo’s Fish & Chips. Why not get a Blue Raspberry Slush Puppy to go with that battered huss?

Pier Art

In 2000, Lowestoft Council threw down a challenge to artist David Ward: in under a year, use art to visually link Lowestoft’s two piers. Ward set to work immediately, and in the spring of 2001, the “St Elmo’s Fire” installation was unveiled. About halfway along Claremont pier, there can now be found a group of lights suspended on some tall poles. These lights fade in and out randomly, controlled by an unseen computer, and reflect on the water between the two piers. The intensity of the reflections depends entirely on meteorological conditions. As well as being very pretty to look at, the lights made all the naysayers who claimed ‘piers and art don’t mix’ look like damn fools.