Families flock to Southsea's Clarence Pier as site offer huge deal after lockdown

Scores of thrill-seeking families visited Southsea’s Clarence Pier over the weekend to enjoy its selection of rides – including the site’s newest attraction, the Canyon River log flume.

The venue officially re-opened on July 4 but this weekend was seen as the biggest push to bring back punters, with the launch of a special evening deal giving visitors 10 rides for £10.

And families relished in the chance to spend the day at the pier – which was blessed with stunning sunshine.

Helen Collinson travelled from Southampton with daughters Lily-Sue Collinson, eight, and Ellie-Mae Bailey, 11, and her husband Colin Fredericks.

She said: ‘The kids absolutely loved it. We were desperate for a day out and we had never been to Clarence Pier before.

‘We went on all the rides and into the arcade. It was a fantastic day out.’

Extra safety measures have been put in place to help prevent the spread of Covid-19, with staff cleaning rides before and after every use.

And as well as regularly wiping down rides and frequent touch surfaces, park bosses have invested heavily in thorough deep-cleaning services.

The park is also strictly controlling visitors numbers, with a cap in place, and social distancing rules being enforced.

Park director Jill Norman, was delighted to welcome families back, and said their support was vital.

‘We haven’t had any meaningful cash come through since August of last year,’ she added. ‘We’ve had to invest an awful lot of money just to get to where we are now and re-open.

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‘We can’t thank the people of Portsmouth enough for all of their support over the years. They’re crucial to the business surviving, there’s no doubt about it.

‘It’s good to have them back now and good to see them enjoying themselves again.’

With attractions now re-opening, city leaders hope to market Portsmouth as a prime summer ‘staycation’ destination.

Councillor Steve Pitt, Portsmouth’s culture and leisure boss, said it would give businesses a chance to ‘recoup’ some of the losses during the coronavirus lockdown.

He added: ‘With so many people enjoying staycations and visiting the city this year, the fact that the funfair is now able to re-open is a very welcome addition to all the other attractions the city has on offer.

‘Portsmouth is open and welcoming visitors. We want them to come along and make sure they have a safe and enjoyable day out. We don’t want to see thousands of people cramming themselves onto the beach because there are loads of other things to do in the city.’

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Clarence Pier’s £10-for-10-rides evening deal runs each night from 5pm until August 31.

Other attractions to have re-opened include Gunwharf’s Spinnaker Tower, The D-Day Story and Blue Reef aquarium, both in Southsea.

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