THE oldest building on Clacton Pier is to retain its name of the Jolly Roger into the foreseeable future.

The pier’s owners said they have listened to public opinion after launching a competition earlier this year as part of a rebranding exercise.

The overall plan for the iconic building - which originally went up in 1893 - is to revamp it to create a 52-week-a-year venue for a wide range of entertainment, sporting and business events.

But as that is not likely to take place for several years, it has been decided that it will be called the Jolly Roger Arena for the time being.

Nigel Brown, Clacton Pier’s communications manager, said: “When we put it out there that we are looking to change the name the most popular suggestion was to keep it the same.

“We then looked at the likely timeframe for when the refurbishment project would go ahead and felt that there is no need to rename the building straight away.

“Work on the second phase of the pier’s £4million development scheme is still continuing and our priority at the moment.

“So Jolly Roger it will be for the time being and a new sign has been put up to mark that fact.”

Mr Brown added that there will come a point when it will be necessary to revisit the situation but that is still some time off.

The cash value of the prize of a family annual pass for four worth £200 will now be donated to charity as it will not be awarded.

The Jolly Roger - or Pier Pavilion as it was known when it was constructed - later went on to be called the Jollity.

The building is significant to the pier’s history as it was responsible for making the landmark a true leisure pier, rather than just a working platform as it began its life under the control of the Woolwich Steam Packet Company.

The Jolly Roger was brought back into use last year after being mainly used for storage over the past 30 years.

It is currently the home to the Clacton Pier Circus, presented twice daily by Circus Fantasia through until September 2.