What do people think about Grand Pier price rise? Weston-super-Mare, April 2025

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

The Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare has increased its admission charge from £1 to £2 for non-residents.

Bosses said the rising cost of inflation meant they needed to start charging their 600,000 annual visitors more to "preserve the structure".

[ChrisB]

Pretty reasonable, I reckon - although the 'take it or leave it' might damage their takings, I doubt it.

I can foresee arguments with 'residents' though - how far distant is a 'resident'. Would probably have to be in postcodes, but its easy top borrow address ID from someone.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Personally, I agree, ChrisB.

If I choose to visit and enjoy the facilities on any historic pier, chipping in with £2 to help 'preserve the structure' seems a small price to pay, to me.

CfN. 

[grahame]

There is always going to be emotion when a charge that's a low round number is increased.   I remember Kew Gardens being a penny and horror at it doubling.  And much more recently a £2 bus cap increasing to £3.

I think I prefer the pier in Weston to be paid for by the visitors who use it and/or the businesses that operate from it, and putting the price up in line with inflation each year seems overcomplex while the number is low and simple and there's still (guess) a significant number of people paying the small charge in cash. Just imagine the hassle with change if the price went up to £1.08 ....