Claremont Pier owners to open pirate-themed crazy golf

The former nightclub at Claremont Pier, on Lowestoft's South Beach, is currently being transformed into an 18-hole wonderland complete with a pirate ship, fort, cave, desert island, dockyard and jail.

The owners are hoping the new attraction - called 'Pirates at the Claremont' - will revive the pier's fortunes which suffered during the bad weather last summer.

Ben Llewellyn, pier director, said the family decided to open the adventure golf after closing the nightclub last August.

Ben Llewellyn, director, as work continues on the re-decked Claremont Pier in Lowestoft. (Image: Mick Howes)

READ MORE: Works to restore Claremont Pier in Lowestoft progresses

"There was a decline in the nightclub. It took a massive hit. It is a massive space but it was being used for only four hours every Saturday night.

"We thought we could use this space better," he said.

"Once we decided to close the club, it seemed inevitable we would do something like this."

Currently, workers are ripping out everything that is in the room which as a nightclub had a capacity of 820 people. Elsewhere, a company is building the golf course which will later be assembled at the pier.

New signage at Claremont Pier in Lowestoft. (Image: Mick Howes)

READ MORE: Pier’s new owners have ambitious plans to restore landmark building

Mr Llewellyn said that business has been "very slow".

"For a seaside business, we have a beach bar, fish and chip shop, an amusement arcade, all designed around when the sun is shining in summer.

"Christmas wasn't exactly brilliant because of the times we're in. The bad weather last summer killed us. So that is why we thought of doing something indoors," he said. 

The owners are hoping to open the course before the Easter holidays.

"It will be a learning curve. We've not done anything like this before," Mr Llewellyn said.

"We're hoping to build a massive buzz around it. Fingers crossed it will be a good summer."