THE Grand Pier in Weston will close early during the World Cup because of fears of low visitor numbers

THE Grand Pier in Weston will close early during the World Cup because of fears of low visitor numbers.Weston's biggest attraction will shut early during England's games and bosses will make decisions on other big fixtures next month.Grand Pier joint managing director Rod Brenner said: "We will be shutting early during the England games as everyone will be watching them."The staff will want to watch it and the World Cup is getting bigger every time it comes round. Last time it was in South Korea, so the games were on at funny times, but now they're on in the afternoons and evenings."It's not been a great start to the summer because of the poor weather and it doesn't look likely to get better."Traders have reported poor takings from last weekend's washout.The bank holiday started with eight hours of rain on Saturday, followed by showers on both Sunday and Monday.Bob Bullock, who runs Weston's miniature railway, said: "The weather was dismal and it was a complete waste of time. "Weston is a place daytrippers come to and, if the weather is awful, so is the trade."Business is beginning to pick up and the weather is said to be improving. Hopefully it will now get better later in the summer.