Council set to ask for donations to maintain pier

Visitors to one of Norfolk's most popular tourist attractions could be asked to donate money to help keep it running.

North Norfolk District Council is set to install electronic "donation stations" on Cromer Pier, which allow people to transfer money digitally.

Liberal Democrat Lucy Shires said she hoped it could raise up to £5,000 a month which would be used to maintain the 124-year-old structure.

Last year, the council's leader ruled out the idea of a mandatory charge to use the attraction, which was named Pier of the Year 2024.

A report for the council's cabinet suggests installing two donation machines on the Grade II listed site for a six-month trial over the summer.

It describes how a similar scheme at Norwich's St John the Baptist catholic cathedral raised £2,777 each month.

Shires, the councillor responsible for finance, hoped visitors would contribute to the costs of maintaining the pier:

"I think people will. They love the pier, they love the access it gives to the views of North Norfolk.

"I believe this will create sustainability for our pier," she added.

Members of the council's cabinet are expected to back the proposals at a meeting next week.

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