Train strikes and wet weather have created a challenging trading period for Brighton Palace Pier, with sales dropping to £12.3m for the 12 weeks ending September 17, down from £12.6m in the same period last year. The owners attribute this decline to cautious consumer spending, high inflation, and various disruptions, including weekend train strikes that led to an 18% decrease in visitors compared to 2022.
Additionally, unseasonable wet weather and a hotel fire disrupted sales during July, impacting the pier’s performance during crucial trading weeks. Brighton Pier Group reported a pre-tax loss of £1m for the first half of 2023, with revenues at £16.2m, down from £17.3m the previous year, due to the challenging economic environment marked by persistent high inflation and consumer caution.
