Llandudno pier closed by high winds

Sep 2 2010 by Judith Phillips, North Wales Weekly News

HIGH winds gusting up to 50mph meant that part of Llandudno pier had to be closed for safety reasons on Sunday.

The section of the century old pier from the Happy Valley entrance to the seaward end, was being whipped by gusts strong enough to blow someone off their feet according to pier manager, Simon Mason.

“For safety reasons we had to cordon off that section of the pier, much to the annoyance of people who arrived to find it closed off.

“The problem was that in the afternoon the bottom end of the pier closest to the prom was sheltered from the wind and was warm and sunny, so people became irate when they found the seaward end closed off,” he said.

After a quiet day on Saturday the closure further hit takings at the pier but on Monday the sunshine brought the crowds out in force.

“It was typical of this season which due to the weather has been a bit stop and go, ” said Mr Mason.

Nick Jowett at the Great Orme Copper mines said they’d had a good weekend with Monday being the best day.

“Our takings were a bit up on the same weekend last year,” he said.

Llandudno Hospitality Association chairman, David Williams said feedback from members about the weekend had been good.

“The only snag was that on occasions the traffic was gridlocked due to the continued closure of the Maesdu Bridge,” he commented.

Michael Thompson of the 16 bedroom Can-y-Bae Hotel on the promenade said it had been full for the weekend but people had left it later than usual to book.

“There has been a definite change in booking patterns. I think people wait to see what the weather is going to be like or how much disposable income they have to spend on a few days away.”