A BANGOR volunteer kiosk worker called on the authorities to do more to promote one of the city’s historic landmarks.
Glenys TemaTema said that the city council should install new turnstiles and spend more on advertising to raise the profile of Bangor Pier and increase profits.
“The pier is the jewel in the crown of what we have in Bangor,” she said. “If we don’t advertise, things will never get better on the financial side.”
Mrs TemaTema runs the kiosk at the pier and added that residents would be happy to pay a subscription to use the pier.
“People could call in at Penrhyn Hall, get their contract and use the pier,” she said.
“A lot of people have asked for this over the years and the only expenditure would be the printing.”
She said that the honesty box used when staff are unavailable does not guarantee that pier users will pay to enter, and that turnstiles would solve the problem while providing a record of visitor numbers.
Mrs TemaTema added that she would make an informal invitation to Prince William to visit the pier during his stay at RAF Valley and added: “As a keen royalist, it would be my dream if we could also have a visit from Prince Charles.”
Mrs TemaTema said that signs directing visitors and residents to the pier were often covered by branches, making them difficult to find.
The pier was built in 1886, but fell into disrepair and was set for demolition by 1974.
Bangor City Council eventually bought the pier for a penny and it was reopen by the Marquis of Anglesey in 1988.
Bangor City Council clerk Gwyn Hughes said that the council provides the kiosk free of rent, tax and insurance.
He said: “The way to have a sensible discussion is not by going through the press.
If Mrs TemaTema wants a sensible discussion she should write to the council or come and discuss the matter with me.”