Hastings pier, from the west, after the catastrophic fire of 5th October 2010 and prior to its subsequent changes of ownership and renovation.
Hastings Pier was opened on 5th August 1872. It was designed by the same architect that designed the West Pier in Brighton. Like many piers it has seen many ups and downs in its fortunes. Its golden era was perhaps in the 1930s following a facelift and theatre rebuild. It has changed hand many times over the years. It has been closed twice since 2006 due to concerns of the safety of the structure. The latest closure by Hastings Borough Council came in March 2008 after storm damage and concerns over its imminent collapse. The Hastings Pier and White Rock Trust is currently engaged in raising funds to save the pier. Hoever in the early morning of 5th October 2010 a fire broke out on the pier. It spread rapidly through the wooden deck and buildings, destroying an estimated 95% of the superstructure. Two people were arrested on suspicion of arson. The pier was eventually subject of a compulsory purchase and sold to Hastings Pier and White Rock Trust. A grant from English Heritage was used for emergency works and evenutually a Heritage Lottery Grant was abtained on the pier renovated. It was opened to the public on 26 April 2106 and won Stirling Prize for architecture in 2107. However it lost money and went into administration in November 2107. It was eventaully sold, amid controversy, to the owner of Eastbourne and local entrepreneur Abid Gulzar. The public waits with interest to see what he has planned for this historic structure.
Size: 5150px × 3421px
Location: Hastings Pier, Hastings, East Sussex UK
Photo credit: © Brian Hartshorn / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
Keywords: 2010., 2010, 5th, architecture, arson, attack., attractions, damage, damage., damaged, destroyed, destruction, east, english, fire, hastings, heritage., herutage, october, pier, pier., piers, post, preserving, saving, seaside, sussex, victorian
