A new contract bringing significant improvements to the Cromer Pier has been announced today.

The North Norfolk District Council has confirmed that the contractor of the Cromer Pier, Openwide, has successfully won the bid to continue being the pier's management for the next decade.

The company beat out six other bidders for the contract, and were chosen based on their fit with the criteria which the NNNDC had set out for their vision of the future of the heritage site.

Councillor Tom FitzPatrick, leader of North Norfolk District Council, said: 'We are tremendously proud to be custodians of Cromer Pier on behalf of the people of North Norfolk and the many tourists that come here every year.

'The Pier has always been an iconic structure for our area, and keeping the ambience and character of this asset is vital to North Norfolk's tourist offer.

'We are delighted to be awarding this contract to Openwide and ensuring a bright future for the Pier. We will be looking to support Openwide in expanding the attractions and the vitality of the Pier for years to come.'

The new contract will start from February 2018, with an initial investment from the NNDC of around £300,000 being invested in the Pavillion Theatre's structure.

The NNDC also announced that the current cost to the management business of £82,000 a year is hoped to have reduced to zero after three years of the new contract beginning.

The contract also means that the management company will be investing in the pier alongside the district council, with plans to see the interior of the theatre improved, with hopes that this will begin by installing new seats to attract bigger audience to the theatre, as well as updating the current seats.

The council has also suggested that more could be done to provide outdoor sheltered seating for visitors to the pier, as is seen on other piers around the country.

Councillor Judy Oliver, NNDC Cabinet Member, said: 'A key objective in NNDC's procurement strategy is to drive down costs and to get ever greater value for money.'