Visitors' centre planned for Hastings Pier
Hastings Pier and White Rock Trust is planning to build a visitors' centre on Hastings Pier. The 140-year-old pier was destroyed by fire in 2010.
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Futuristic pier for Hastings
Hastings Pier could be restored soon after an £11.4m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The pier was almost destroyed in a blaze in October 2010. Images of how the new structure would look have been released.
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Hastings Pier cash - the full story
Hastings fire-ravaged pier is to be resurrected following the award of an £11 million grant, the Heritage Lottery Fund has announced.
Read the full storyHastings Pier to be handed over to campaigners after grant, council says
Hastings Borough Council chiefs have spoken of their delight at the decision of the Heritage Lottery Fund to invest over £11 million towards restoring the town’s iconic pier.
Council leader Jeremy Birch said: “This is excellent news for Hastings Pier and White Rock Trust (HPRWT), all supporters and of course residents of and visitors to Hastings.
“The council’s compulsory purchase order has been approved so we are now in a position to hand the pier over to HPWRT.
“We are very pleased to have played an essential part in the process of securing the future of the pier and remain committed to working with HPWRT to raise the matched funding required to complete the first stage of works."
Jo Brand celebrates 'great news' for Hastings
Comedian Jo Brand, who grew up in Hastings, has been among those celebrating news Hastings Pier could be rebuilt with help of an £11.4 million lottery grant.
She said: "Hastings Pier was where I spent a great deal of time as a teenager and it was the gathering point for a whole generation looking to see bands and dance the night away. So, I suppose it's no surprise that I view it with enormous affection.
"I was gutted when the pier was gutted and it's really great news that the Heritage Lottery Fund is awarding such a substantial sum of money to help with restoration work.
"I can't wait to see the new pier rise out of the ashes in the next couple of years. Hooray!"
Burnt pier could 're-open in 2014' - full statement
Hastings Pier and White Rock Trust (HPWRT) is delighted to announce today that the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) is supporting the Trust's plans for the rescue and restoration of Hastings Pier.
With a grant of £11.4 million the HLF will provide the lion's share of the £13.9 million needed to deliver the project.
It is a great day for the people of Hastings and tremendous reward for the hard work and determination of all those who would not allow the pier to be abandoned.
Simon Opie, chief exec of HPWRT said: "This is a brilliant decision by the Heritage Lottery Fund for the future of the pier and the future of Hastings.
"The commitment and support of everyone involved has been crucial to this success and the Trust is indebted to a great many people.
"We will continue to rely on this support and enthusiasm as the project moves to its next, exciting phase.
"We now need to put everything in place to enable us to start work on the Pier in spring next year, and we will be setting out our plans for this shortly.
"We very much look forward to having the Pier re-opened by the end of 2014."
Carole Souter, chief exec of HLF, said: "Hastings Pier has lived through over 150 years of history - from gentler Victorian times through to the Swinging Sixties and beyond.
"We're delighted to be backing these ambitious restoration plans which will not only save the fabric of the pier but also put it right back at the heart of the community, providing much-needed opportunities for social and economic regeneration."
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Hasting Pier Trust awarded £11.4m grant for repairs
Hastings Pier could be restored soon after an £11.4 million pound grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
A total of £13.9 million is needed to rennovate the structure which has fallen into disrepair after a collapse and a fire. The Hastings Pier and White Rock Trust (HPWRT) says it's hoping the structure will be reopened by the end of 2014.
Simon Opie, the Chief Executive of HPWRT said: "This is a brilliant decision by the Heritage Lottery Fund for the future of the Pier and Hastings. The commitment & support of everyone involved has been crucial to this success and the Trust is indebted to a great many people & organisations.
"We will continue to rely on this support and enthusiasm as the project moves to its next, exciting phase. We now need to put everything in place to enable us to start work on the Pier in spring next year, and we will be setting out our plans for this shortly."
While Councillor Peter Chowney, Deputy Leader, Hastings Borough Council said: "It's excellent news for the pier and for Hastings as a whole. this is out most important regeneration project and we're all pleased it's finally going to happen."
Hastings Pier purchase order confirmed
The Government has this afternoon confirmed that the compulsory purchase order of Hastings Pier can go ahead.
The pier was severely damaged by fire in October 2010
The CPO gives Hastings Council and the Hastings Pier & White Rock Trust the green light to go ahead with the purchase of the pier
Statutory notices will now be served, with a six weeks challenge period.
"This is excellent news, and a major step forward in returning Hastings Pier to its rightful place as a major attraction on our seafront," said Council Leader Jeremy Birch.
"I know that a huge amount of work has gone into getting this result, and I would like to thank everyone involved, especially, of course, the Hastings Pier & White Rock Trust."
Takeover plans for Hastings Pier
by Derek Johnson
The future of Hastings Pier has been in question since a fire in October 2010. Now the council has applied to take over ownership.
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