IT’S ALL GO ON THE KART TRACK

Engineers are currently testing out the new Go Kart track on Weston-super-Mare’s Grand Pier. The 300 metre long track is the biggest ride on the Pier and cost £1 million to manufacture. It is the only electronic floor pick-up in the UK and runs over two levels.

The Go Karts are being run flat out to make sure they will be able to deal with the hundreds of people who want to have a go on this thrilling ride when the Grand Pier opens.

Ten karts are being run at a time, with ten others loading. Two additional karts have two seats so small children can ride with their parents.

The Go Kart track will be available for exclusive hire for birthday parties and corporate events. Experienced drivers will be able to drive at speeds of up to 60mph. There will even be a Go Kart school. Children from eight to 15 can sign up for the school which will take them through beginner, intermediate and advanced driver training.

Karting lessons can be booked on either Saturday or Sunday mornings from 9am to 10.30am. Each child will be issued with their own driving licence which will chart their progress through the school.

Regular Grand Prix events will be run from September where drivers can qualify, run in at least two heats and then take part in a final race to find the overall winner.
Pier owner Kerry Michael said: “Everyone always asks me about the Go Kart track. We had just built a new one when the Pavilion building was destroyed in the fire, so a lot of people remember that. This one is bigger and better and it is the first thing you notice when you walk into the Pavilion. Everyone wants to have a go, so we’re just making sure it is up to the job of being run flat out all day. I have no shortage of volunteers from my staff to help me do that”

For further information on corporate events or the Go Kart school email russell.mabley@grandpier.co.uk


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PIER OWNER BACKS CAMERON’S TOURISM STANCE

Weston-super-Mare Grand Pier owner Kerry Michael has welcomed Prime Minister David Cameron’s speech on domestic tourism.

Speaking in London recently, David Cameron sought to play up the importance of the domestic tourism sector, describing it as ‘fundamental’ to the rebuilding and rebalancing of the economy.

Kerry Michael welcomed the Prime Minister’s recognition that under previous administrations there was no incentive for local authorities to encourage visitors to their destinations.

He said: “David Cameron has highlighted the very important role local authorities must play to encourage visitors to their destinations, especially in coastal resorts like ours. I believe we have been badly let down by North Somerset Council and I call on them to re-think their current strategy about investment in tourism.

“”Tourism in the West Country is worth more than £1 billion per annum and Weston-super-Mare is the largest local destination for that spend. Leaders at North Somerset Council must see the wider picture – tourism and the Grand Pier in particular is the king pin in our local economy.

Three different members of the executive have told me personally that Tourism only benefits the seafront traders so it is up to those traders to promote it and not the job of the Local Authority - they couldn’t be more wrong.

They must understand that visitors spend money all over the area and not just the seafront, they spend in our shops, in guest houses, garages in fact everywhere.

Also, those same shops and seafront traders employ people from all over the district who, without tourism, wouldn’t have jobs. So, it is naïve to suggest that tourism only benefits the seafront traders.

“We hope the appointment of John Penrose MP as Minister for Tourism will have a positive effect on Weston-super-Mare and that he will encourage his local authority colleagues to look closely at their current tourism strategy”.

David Cameron identified that, at the moment, if a local council does more to attract tourists to the area, it picks up the cost but gets none of the additional business rate revenue.

His desire is to allow local authorities to reinvest revenue made from tourism back into the local communities to help not just tourism, but all the other business sectors.


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SAY ‘I DO’ ON WESTON’S GRAND PIER

Weston-super-Mare’s Grand Pier has been granted a licence by North Somerset Council to hold marriages and civil partnerships at the venue.

The Pier owners Kerry and Michelle Michael have already received over 100 enquiries about weddings on the Pier, from all over the UK.

Brides will really be able to make a unique entrance on the Pier, as wedding cars will now be allowed to drive right up to the Pavilion building. The newly covered walkway will also make sure wedding guests arrive in the dry.

No less than five areas of the Pier have been licensed – including one outside space. Couples wishing to tie the knot will have the choice of marrying on the large balcony of the Regency Suite, on the second floor of the Pavilion or in the large Regency Suite itself.

Weddings can also take place in the Edwardian tea rooms at the back of the Pavilion, which has stunning views out to sea on all three sides.

One of the most unusual venues on the Pier for a small wedding is the North Tower, which has a bridal room above it, for last minute preparations. This semi-circular venue has views over the bay.

The Coral Room on the first floor of the Pavilion is suitable for wedding parties of up to 40 people. This room looks to the South, over Brean Down.


Finally, the Great Hall has been granted a licence, so The Pier can cater for very large weddings of up to 850 guests if necessary.

Michelle Michael said: “We have created a very flexible wedding space here. Couples can have a completely private wedding, using our exclusive entrance on the North deck, or they can really get involved in the fun side of the venue. We are delighted by how many enquiries we have received already.

“We will be providing complete wedding and civil partnership packages, but we will also be offering wedding receptions to couples who have chosen to marry in a church or register office setting. We will be offering everything from a simple drinks and canapes reception to a full wedding breakfast”.


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Further Setbacks on Weston’s Grand Pier

Contractors working on Weston-super-Mare’s Grand Pier have suffered another setback. The decking installed all around the new Pavilion building is already failing and it is feared that it will have to be lifted and re-laid.
Structural engineers have been called in to assess the problem and their report is awaited, but owner Kerry Michael fears the worst. He said contractors had advised him late yesterday (17th August) that they had concerns over the structural integrity of the new decking.
Kerry Michael said: “Structural engineers are looking into the design to see if it meets the requirements and if, as I fear, it does not, it will have to be stripped and re-done.
“I am bitterly disappointed at the continued delays on the project. We should have been open weeks ago and not only have we lost the entire summer, but it looks like we will be losing what’s left of the season as well.
“I can only apologise to everyone that has been waiting patiently for the re-opening – those who have booked events that cannot go ahead, the staff waiting in the wings for a start date and to the whole town and sea-front traders, who like us, are losing out every day.
“We continue to work with contractors to complete the project as soon as we can, but we are in their hands. There is little our team can do until the building is complete and handed over to us.
“Problems aside, the building is really looking good. All the rides are now fully installed and working. The kitchens are in and the function rooms and wedding venues are stunning. When it’s finished it will be something we can all be proud of, but we have to get it right and we won’t compromise on quality”.


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Boxing To Return To Grand Pier

Boxing is making a return to Weston-super-Mare’s Grand Pier. Alex Demetriou from the Grand Pier has teamed up with Britain’s first officially licensed female boxer, Jane Couch MBE, to promote an amateur boxing event due to take place on Friday 3rd December. It will be the first of many boxing events planned throughout the year.
Boxing on Weston’s Grand Pier dates back to 1904, when boxing matches took place in the 2,000 seat pavilion, along with opera, music hall and Shakespearean plays.
Amateur boxing clubs from around the South West region are being invited to sign up for the event. The evening will be one of the first big events to be held in the brand new Pavilion building, which has the largest pillar-less performance space in the South West.
A special guest at the event will be former WBC heavyweight champion Tim Witherspoon.
Jane Couch said: “Since I retired from boxing in 2008 I have become a boxing promoter and I am delighted to have been approached by the owners of the Grand Pier to help them stage their boxing matches. It’s great to see the traditional sport of boxing returning to the Grand Pier after its £51m re-build”.
Events will take place throughout the year in the Pavilion building, including concerts and fashion shows, along with weddings, conferences and corporate events.
Tickets for the event will go on sale shortly and are expected to cost from £10 for standing room. There will also be VIP tables available and the opportunity to attend a drinks reception with special guests.
To register your interest in the amateur boxing night email events@grandpier.co.uk


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