Records indicate that there has been a Pier of sorts in Cromer since 1391.   As the North Sea took its toll, for the next 200 years there were continual attempts to maintain it. In 1582 the inhabitants of Cromer were granted rights to export wheat, barley and malt in order to generate the funds towards the rebuilding of the pier.

Obviously initially built of wood, the last attempt was built in 1846 and was only 70 yards long.  As tough as you would expect a wooden structure planted in the sea to be, it was so damaged by gales that it had to be dismantled and Cromer was briefly, pier-less until 1901 when the new pier opened.

At that time, the increasingly popular Cromer was served by two railway lines and the official opening of the pier was attended by dignitaries and members of the press from London, Birmingham and Bradford.  The event was entertained by the Blue Viennese Band  which played in the then open-air bandstand.  In 1905 the bandstand was covered to form an enclosed pavilion.

More gales in 1953 demolished the Pavilion and wrecked the pier. The Government granted compensation for the rebuilding of the Pavilion which was completed in time for the 1955 season. 

In 1978 a new cafe, bar and foyer were built.

If you want to find out what’s on in the Pier Theatre, click here.