Clacton On Sea, The Bridge 1919

Photo ref: 69304

More about this scene

LEADING up from the pier to the town itself a new ramp was cut in the cliff face and called Pier Gap. In 1887 shops were erected on both sides (see 64239, pages 24-25). These shops were designed for the holidaymaker and included such establishments as cafés, souvenir emporiums, shell fish shops and so on. Photograph 64239 shows the shops which existed before the 'General Beautifying Programme' swept them away. Because of the steep slope the shops nearest the pier were larger and able to offer more goods. The shops included a bucket and spade shop; a fish and chip shop (1d the fish, ½d the chips); sweet shops selling Clacton rock; a beachwear shop (plimsolls 6½d a pair, paddling shoes 4½d); souvenir shops selling ashtrays, paperweights and snowstorms, all 'Presents from Clacton- on-Sea'; a postcard shop; a tobacconist (Woodbines five for a penny) and a sea-food shop. By 1913 however, Clacton Council had become very concerned about the state of Pier Gap. It was becoming very dirty as it proved difficult to clean by the normal method of using a horse-drawn water cart because it was so steep. To remedy this the Council instituted what it called a 'General Beautifying Programme' and swept the shops away, replacing them with landscaped gardens and a bridge built to link the upper promenades. At the opening ceremony, which was performed by Alderman Colonel J Humphrey, the Sheriff of the City of London, the Mayor of West Ham congratulated the Council for carrying out the work by direct labour and for 'replacing the winkle and eel-pie shops previously down either side of the pier gap with beautiful flower beds and the bridge which stretched from cliff to cliff'.

An extract from Clacton-on-Sea Town and City Memories.