A seafront attraction has been bought by a leisure developer in a 'multi-million purchase'.

Norwich-based law firm Rogers and Norton has announced it has assisted MD Abbott Holdings to buy the Pier Family Entertainment Centre at Hunstanton.

MD Abbott's director Michael Abbott also owns Pettitts Animal Adventure Park in Reedham, near Great Yarmouth, where he carried out improvements and installed new rides after buying the business in 2017.

Eastern Daily Press: Michael Abbott with park manager Sue McElroy at Pettitts Animal Adventure Park Michael Abbott with park manager Sue McElroy at Pettitts Animal Adventure Park (Image: Ella Wilkinson)

Rogers and Norton said having only recently completed the purchase of the business, MD Abbott was not yet in a position to make any announcements regarding plans it might have for the pier building.

Mr Abbott said:  “The professionalism, advice, and superior expertise of Alistair Ponder, Jack Crosthwaite and the team at Rogers & Norton has been superb.

"Working with them on our recent purchase of Hunstanton Pier has been a pleasure.”

The building hosts a traditional seaside arcade on the ground floor, while the first floor is home to a bowling alley.

Hunstanton once had a pier, which opened in 1870 and stretched more than 800ft out to sea.

Eastern Daily Press: Hunstanton Pier pictured in the 1930sHunstanton Pier pictured in the 1930s (Image: Archant Archive)

Paddle steamers ran to Skegness and there was a grand pavilion before it was destroyed by fire in 1939.

Most of the Victorian pier blew down in a storm in 1978, leaving just the entrance building on the Lower Green.

Eastern Daily Press: The fire at the pier building in 2002The fire at the pier building in 2002 (Image: Derek Fairless)

In May, 2002, it was destroyed by a fierce fire, so intense that change in amusement machines melted. The cause of the blaze was never established.

The current Pier Entertainment Centre was built to replace it, despite objections from campaigners who said the pier should also be rebuilt.

Eastern Daily Press: The pier building after the fireThe pier building after the fire (Image: John Hocknell)

West Norfolk council said there was no legal obligation to provide a pier on the site and the debate still rumbles on.

National Lottery officials turned down an application from Hunstanton Civic Society for £7.4m to rebuild the pier 10 years ago. It said too little of the original structure remained. 

Eastern Daily Press: Work under way on the current pier building Work under way on the current pier building (Image: Matthew Usher)