New trust aims to buy Hastings Pier
A trust has been set up with a view to buying Hastings Pier.
Pressure group the Friends of Hastings Pier decided early this month to close and move all its
assets into a trust - the newly formed Hastings Pier and White Rock Trust.
The group's members voted unanimously in favour of the plans and the trust is now intent on raising the cash to take over the running of the ageing Victorian structure.
The pier, a grade two listed building, has been shut for more than a year after concerns were raised over its safety.
Lengthy legal proceedings followed but, despite pressure on Panama-based owners Ravenclaw, no repairs have been done and the majority of the attraction remains shut to the public.
Only the front part, known as the apron, and the bingo hall remain open.
However, the new trust wants that to change and once it has secured the cash, most likely in the way of heritage and lottery funding, it will push Hastings Borough Council to carry out a compulsory purchase order.
This means the council can force Ravenclaw to sell it the pier and then in turn pass it on at the same price to the trust.
A spokesman for the trust said: "We are looking at restoring the first two sections first which hold the shops and retail areas. This will give us an income towards repairing the remaining two sections.
"First we need to put together our business plan which we are in the possessed of doing now."
There are eight trustees driving the plans. These are Felix Robinson, Jess Steel, Chris Dodwell, Lesley Davis, John Hough, Alison Cooper, Melanie Horton and Laurence Bell.
Members of the public are being invited to join the trust and can so by by collecting a form from Bar Luxor on Hastings Pier, emailing lesdv9@gmail.com or by ringing 07913664163.
The now regular Sunday Market held on the front of the pier will continue, and money raised will go straight into the trust's coffers.
On the forthcoming Bank Holiday Monday the trust is also holding another market which will include live music and a bouncy castle.
There is also an open mic from 12pm available to local musicians on the each day of the Bank Holiday weekend. Anyone wanting to take part should ring the number above.
Should Hastings Borough Council buy the pier and pass the ownership over to a trust? What would you like to see be done to the pier?
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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