Society's Policy

What of the future?

The pier's future is still unclear but the Society committee feel that it should formulate its position.

The following is a policy statement on which comments may be made by members here.

Policy Statement Regarding the West Pier (April 2005)

1. The Brighton West Pier Trust

1.1 We believe that the Trust should be wound up. In spite of the energetic efforts of a succession of officers and volunteers, it has failed to achieve its objectives. It has significant liabilities relating to the safe removal of the ruins of the pier. The Trust's next published balance sheet should include provision for these. This may well show that it is insolvent.

1.2 The rights and responsibilities for the pier, currently resting with the Trust, should be transferred to appropriate publicly accountable bodies, such as the City Council and / or the Crown Estate.

1.3 The Trust's archive of documents should be transferred to the Brighton History Centre or a similar body to be preserved and made available to the public for research.

2. The Pier and Surrounding Area

2.1 Hopes for the restoration of the pier should be abandoned unless a credible offer of funding becomes available within the next twelve months. Such funding would need to meet the whole restoration cost and provide for ongoing maintenance costs over and above those covered by a conservative estimate of income.

2.2 Several schemes for restoration based on enabling developments have been proposed and all have failed. No further schemes of this kind should be considered.

2.3 What is left of the walkways and concert hall should be safely demolished and removed as soon as possible.

2.4 The structure at the southern end could be retained as a memorial to the old pier. It could also continue to serve as a nesting place for the starlings, whose flights above it are one of the splendours of Brighton seafront. The feasibility of retention should be investigated, but any scheme should only be adopted if it identifies a reliable source of funding for future maintenance.

2.5 If retention is not feasible, the seaward end should be demolished. A decision on this should be made sooner rather than later.

2.6 The decking at the landward end of the pier is new and should be retained. It should be cleared of temporary buildings and its use as an unofficial car park should be discontinued.

2.7 A simple, good quality plaque should be fixed on or near the southern railings to commemorate the opening, closing and final destruction of the pier.

2.8 Consideration could be given to constructing a replica kiosk on the western side of the decking, to match the rock shop.

2.9 A number of businesses currently operate on land controlled by the Trust, such as the Rock Shop, the Café, the Bicycle Workshop and the open-air market. These add life to the area and should be encouraged to continue. Rental income from them could help to maintain the remaining landward end of the pier.

3. The Surrounding Area

3.1 The lower promenade areas either side of and below the pier have not benefited from the improvements carried out along the rest of Brighton Seafront. We believe that the Council should now prepare plans for bringing them up to a standard to match the rest. These plans should be subject to wide consultation with local people before they are finalised.

3.2 The Council has indicated that an enabling development would be required to fund such improvements. We have no objection to this in principle but we believe that any development should be restricted to the lower promenade and should not project or be visible above the level of the upper promenade. The new upper floor of the nearby Al Fresco restaurant should not be used as a precedent for any other developments at this level.

4. Consultation

4.1 We believe that the body or bodies which take responsibility for the pier should consult widely with local people before making decisions, and we hope that the Regency Square Area Society can be included in such consultations.