Save our pier for the people

Simple restoration plans may finally revive landmark

The Argus Friday, 7 May, 2004

A LOT has happened to the West Pier in Brighton since PROFESSOR FRED GRAY first wrote Walking On Water, his history of the Grade I listed building, in 1998. Now, almost 30 years since the structure was closed to the public, he brings that history up to date.

IT IS almost three decades since Brighton's West Pier was closed to the public.

That the pier has survived (just) is a wonderful tribute to its Victorian engineering and the sustained efforts of its present-day supporters.

These are not simply in Brighton but nationally (the sustenance of the National Piers Society has been enduring) and internationally.

The tide seemed to have turned for the pier in the summer of 1996 - the National Year of the Pier - with the award of Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) money for emergency work and restoration plans.

Announcing the award, the then director of the HLF said: "Brighton West Pier is a landmark both in Brighton and more widely.

"It had to be saved (and returned) to its former glory so that this landmark structure will survive for future generations to enjoy."

Little did we suspect the following years would be consumed with seemingly endless changes in HLF requirements and the increasing hostility of the Noble Organisation - the owners of Brighton's Palace Pier.

Then, at the back end of 2002 and into 2003, significant storm damage and two outrageous arson attacks wreaked havoc on the pier's two unique pleasure buildings.

Following the fires and storm, English Heritage, as the guardian of the nation's most important historical environments, was asked to consider whether the restoration of the pier was still viable.

The long-awaited report appeared in mid-December. The Argus proclaimed: Brighton West Pier Restoration Backed.

English Heritage fully supported the restoration of the pier, arguing: "The West Pier was the most important pleasure pier ever built in terms of its climactic and seminal engineering design, its architectural ambition and as an enduring
social symbol of Brighton as the acme of seaside resorts."

The report noted many other structures had been faithfully restored despite having a similar or worse level of decay and destruction.

With the English Heritage authoritative announcement it seemed the stumbling block to the restoration had at last been removed.

In little more than a month, however, the restoration plans were in turmoil.

On January 28 The Argus reported: West Pier - New Attack By Rivals. The Noble Organisation had mounted yet another assault, this time arguing the West Pier no longer deserved its Grade I listing.

The following day and another Argus headline - Sun Goes Down On West Pier - heralded an unexpected and devastating announcement from the HLF: The withdrawal from the in-principle agreement to fund the restoration.

The HLF argued there was uncertainty about future costs, considerable risks attached to the project and intense competition for HLF funds.

In reaching this decision the HLP ignored the professional conclusions of English Heritage and instead based its opinion on its own commissioned technical assessments and the advice of its historic buildings and land panel.

Locally, the immediate conclusion was the struggle to restore the pier was at an end and demolition the only fate.

Rachel Clark, the West Pier Trust's general manager, said: "This has been a very, very bad day for us."

Geoff Lockwood, the chief executive, said the trust felt betrayed by the Lottery fund.

The Argus editorial carried the headline: Death Of This Tragic Pier Is A Disaster For Brighton.

Then on January 31, The Argus announced: West Pier To Rise Again - Exclusive.

In another unexpected but seemingly miraculous statement, English Heritage said: "We cannot turn our backs on this internationally famous Grade I listed building.

"It is an enduring symbol of Brighton and an intrinsic part of the nation's mental image of the seafront there - purely in terms of design and engineering, we believe it is the most important pleasure pier ever built."

The new plan was for a simple and cheaper restoration, taking the pier back to its original 1860s appearance and without the later large pier-head pavilion and central concert hall.

English Heritage asked for email comment from members of the public with a Press release headed: Don't Give Up On The West Pier.

Its web site lists a fascinating series of anonymous comments. One reads: "I can't think of a comparable heritage disaster if the West Pier is allowed to die."

Geoff Lockwood summed up the trust's sentiments, saying: "The HLF's shameful and perverse decision in January was a knockdown, not a knockout."

The HLF decision to withdraw its support is curious.

Why ignore the authoritative expert conclusions of English Heritage, surely the body most able to judge the West Pier?

If the costs of the proposed scheme were indeed too high, why not at least give the trust and its partners the opportunity to respond and develop alternative plans?

The argument that there is severe competition for funds also looks suspect when set against the HLF's agreement, at short notice and also in January, to contribute £11.5 million towards the purchase of a Raphael painting from the Duke of Northumberland.

I have no doubt which of the two projects has the greatest worldwide support, which would most benefit the widest range of people and which is truly national heritage.

The National Piers Society in its origins and purpose subscribes to the importance and value of sustaining Britain's unique seaside architectural and cultural heritage.

English Heritage has the same sympathies.

The shame is the Heritage Lottery Fund appears to have another much narrower and less popular agenda.

For the West Pier, awaiting the development of the English Heritage alternative plans, the saga continues.

But in one way or another the end of the roller coaster of hope and despair must soon be in sight.

This article was written for the journal of the National Piers Society.

Fred Gray is honorary historian for the Brighton West Pier Trust, although he writes in a personal capacity.