Press Releases week beginning 18 March 2019

Council leader calls on Hastings pier owner to reopen as soon as possible

Hastings Borough Council leader Peter Chowney has expressed his frustration that the town's pier will remain closed until May.
 
Cllr Chowney said :- "We were disappointed when the pier closed suddenly before Christmas, potentially losing out on the lucrative business between Christmas and the New Year.
 
"Similarly we had a fantastic half term in February, with the temperatures some of the highest ever recorded in winter. The town and our seafront was packed, with several traders saying they'd bettered their summer trading figures on some days. Yet the pier remained closed.
 
"We understand that the storms of the past fortnight may have had an impact on the pier, but we would have expected that any issues could have been addressed quickly with an appropriate maintenance regime.
 
"Easter is likely to be very busy too, especially as it is later this year; normally residents and visitors would flock to the pier then, the traditional start of 'the season'.
 
"It is frustrating to see this fantastic attraction standing empty. We remain very keen to work with the pier management, but urge them to reconsider their position and reopen the pier as soon as possible, and certainly before the start of the Easter holiday."