People in Nottingham have reacted to the news that Mellors Group has bought the historic Skegness Pier.
The firm, based in Arnold, completed the sale, becoming the new owners of the famous seafront attraction on the Lincolnshire coast.
Specialist leisure property adviser Christie & Co announced the news yesterday, Wednesday, February 10.
Mellors Group already owns the popular Fantasy Island theme park in Ingoldmells and ran the most recent Christmas Market in Old Market Square, which was forced to close after one day due to social distancing concerns.
People in Nottingham, many of whom regularly visit Skegness for a holiday, even gave Mellors Group some ideas on how to use the pier going forward.
Yvonne Wilson wrote: "Great news. Good luck with this venture."
Laura Moore said: "Good, it needs some investment. Could be lovely."
"Fab idea for Mellors to do this," added Tim Jackson. "How about a recreation of Market Square? Stalls with peas and mint sauce, even a mock up tram ride round the car park."
Chris Tench commented that it could "be my holiday of choice for a while".
Paul Johnson asked if the pier could be extended back to its original length, while Andrew Bates suggested it could even be rebuilt.
Dean Finch believes the news is "the best thing that's happened in a few years".
James Mellors Snr, managing director of the Mellors Group, said after the sale: “I’ve known the pier in Skegness all my life and have long harboured an ambition to acquire the business should it ever come up for sale, so when Christie & Co were appointed, we were in touch straight away.
"Hopefully, we’ll be as responsible guardians as the Mitchell’s and Wilkinson’s have been during their near 45-year tenure and we have plans to invest in the property as indeed we typically do with any real estate we acquire."
The pier went up for sale in September last year with a guide price of £3 million, due to the retirement of the current owner Carolyn Wilkinson, daughter of the late Robin Mitchell.
Carolyn said: “It was a difficult decision to contemplate the sale of a business that has been in our family for so many years and it was important to us, given we know so many people in the industry, that the process was handled professionally and transparently.
"Christie & Co delivered on every level and we were amazed by how much interest was generated from around the UK and even Europe, as well as much closer to home.
"We wish James and the Mellors team every success and know they will do a fantastic job at the pier and continue to keep it at the forefront of all things Skegness."
