The forthcoming 1st anniversary of the Hastings Pier fire is rapidly approaching and the trustees of the Hastings Pier & White Rock Trust are keen to highlight how much has been achieved since this time and that the Pier is ready to be reborn.
The fire which shook our town, broke out in the early hours of 6th October 2010 and happened within 24 hours of the Trust announcing the launch of their RIBA architectural competition and engagement of John Collins as their non-exec director for the People’s Pier Co – the leisure management company to run the commercial aspects needed to raise revenues to sustain the pier.
The tragic events of that evening sought to ruin the chances of regenerating Hastings Pier forever, however, 12 months on, where are the plans to save Hastings Pier?
The Trust engaged dRMM, innovative architects to design the new pier. Since this time, dRMM have been assisting in the preparations for the compulsory purchase and community consultation sessions with the Trust.
The Trust have secured the initial support from Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the £8.75m renovations costs, but need to deliver the initial development project with their £350k HLF budget and raise £1.1m of funding match to release these funds. Crucial to unlocking the full £8.75m funding is the successful compulsory purchase of the Pier by Hastings Borough Council, a process which has been started already.
The Trust will shortly be announcing the engagement of their new Chief Executive to run the Hastings Pier Group, which includes the People’s Pier Co, as well as the charity which will own the pier on behalf of the people of Hastings and ensure its long term safety through a maintenance management plan.
Archie Lauchlan, a BAFTA award-winning film-maker who resides in Hastings is currently producing a documentary about the pier. Local people have been volunteering, organising fundraisers and raising awareness of the Trusts’ Plans for the Pier.
One such volunteer led project is the Trusts’ new heritage interpretation – a free exhibit on the history and future of Hastings Pier which will be launched by Hastings’ Mayor on Saturday 22nd October 2011 at the Pier Shop on the seafront at White Rock, Hastings.
In order to raise the £1.1m, the Trust have developed fundraising initiatives such as Adopt a Plank and will shortly be launching their Community Share programme which will enable supporters to purchase shares in the People’s Pier Co, which allows them to have a say on future leisure activities on the pier and in the long term, will give them a share in profits generated.
The future has never looked brighter for Hastings Pier since its closure.
To complete an online Expression of Interest for the Community Share programme go to http://hpwrt.co.uk/how-you-can-help/community-share-scheme/ or phone 01424 435587 to request one via the post.
