Photos from the Party On The Prom stall.
A very important element of POP is a public consultation regarding the future of the pier. This consultation is part of the process that the Trust is undertaking to fulfill its obligations to Hastings Borough Council (HBC) in applying for listed building and planning consent.
Following a competition managed by the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Trust has appointed deRijke Marsh Morgan (dRMM) as its architects. They took a stall at Party on the Prom and everybody was encouraged to visit the stall to share opinions, memories, ideas and anything of interest about the future of the pier. Michael Spooner from dRMM said, ‘Our focus for the consultation is threefold: Remembering the Past, Communicating the Present and Contributing to the Future. We are keen to draw on the local community and visitors to the town to understand concerns and aspirations for the project.’
Remembering the PAST
The architects are keen to record people’s memories of the Pier. They want to better understand why it held such a special place in the collective memory. What worked? What didn’t? What did the Pier mean to people, what special events does its history hold? This is an opportunity to reminisce and reflect.
Communicating the PRESENT
The Pier is a Grade II Listed Building at risk. Immediate structural work is required to prevent further damage. The architects are working to secure the necessary Planning consents for this essential work. They are also assisting the Trust to obtain ownership of the pier through Compulsory Purchase, and to secure funding for the Pier’s repair and redevelopment. dRMM will be on hand to answer questions and explain what work will be happening to safeguard the structure.
Contributing to the FUTURE
The Pier before the fire struggled to be commercially viable. This is an opportunity to re-think what the Pier means to Hastings and St Leonards. What activities should take place on the new Pier? What is important for the local community? How important is attracting visitors? The Pier must support a range of activities that are financially sustainable, to ensure its success.5
