Brighton Palace Pier Slaps on £1 Entry Fee This Summer
Brighton Palace Pier, the iconic seaside landmark, is charging visitors a £1 admission fee starting May 25th. The new charge kicks in during busy summer weekends: June through August. But locals with a Brighton Palace Pier resident card and toddlers under two get in free.
Why the Fee? Soaring Maintenance Costs!
The pier’s upkeep isn’t cheap. Maintenance and operational costs have rocketed by 31% over five years — a whopping £2.7 million hike — pushing annual expenses to £11.6 million. A spokesperson for Brighton Pier Group PLC said, “The admission fee will be critical in helping to meet the unique challenges and costs of preserving the Pier’s structural integrity and fabric.”
Long Live the Queen of Victorian Piers
Opened in 1889, Brighton Palace Pier is known as the Queen of all Victorian piers. It’s a hotspot for family fun, packing in thrilling rides, arcade games, and plenty of places to eat and shop. It’s a perfect blend of classic seaside charm with modern attractions.
Local Voice: CEO Defends New Charge
Anne Ackord, CEO of Brighton Palace Pier, stressed the importance of the fee. She said,
“Many of our team, including myself, live and work in Brighton and we understand the Pier’s importance. Costs to maintain it with high standards have soared. We have absorbed these costs until now but a small admission fee for out-of-town visitors is now necessary.”
Ackord added, “This fee helps ensure our iconic Pier will be around for generations to come.”
Locals Get Perks with Resident Card
Brighton residents living in the BN postcode can apply online for a resident card to skip the fee. This move supports preserving the pier’s rich history while keeping it sustainable for the future.
