Bournemouth Pier has scrapped its entrance fee following an increase in visitor numbers at the seaside attraction.
The 145-year-old pier, home to fun fair rides, zip wires and restaurants, will remain free indefinitely as part of a £700,000 investment to strengthen the attraction’s future.
The pier toll was suspended in 2025 to improve access for residents and visitors amid rising living costs. Other piers, such as the Palace Pier in Brighton and Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare, are still charging admission.
As a result, Adventure Attractions, which runs the pier, said there has been a strong uplift in visitor numbers in the past year, so they have decided to remove the entry fee for at least three years.
Sarah Hunter, the managing director of Adventure Attractions, said: “Increasing accessibility to the pier has always been our ambition, and the response over the past year has been incredibly positive.
“Continuing the toll suspension allows us to build on that momentum and ensure the pier remains a place everyone can enjoy, all year round.”
The £700,000 investment reflects the money that would have been made if the toll were in place.
Ms Hunter added that this figure is a “huge investment and risk for us”, but the increasing visitor numbers and the positive impact on the pier’s businesses show that the risk is worth it.
Amanda Barrie, commercial operations director at Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, said: “Bournemouth Pier is one of our most loved landmarks and keeping it open and accessible benefits both residents and visitors alike.
“We are pleased to be able to work with Adventure Attractions to allow residents and visitors to enjoy the pier toll-free, which helps encourage footfall, supports tourism, and strengthens the local economy, while ensuring the pier remains a welcoming, everyday space for our communities.”
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