Campaign to boost trade on pier

The council wants to boost trade on the pier which is partly open

A campaign to boost remaining trade on Hastings Pier in East Sussex has started following the closure of part of the structure.

The front part pier remains open after traders won a legal challenge against the owner's plans to close it entirely.

Hastings council used emergency closure powers in June after safety concerns.

Now the council has launched a poster campaign to remind visitors that part of the pier is open, because traders were left struggling.

Council leader, Councillor Peter Pragnell, said: "We feel desperately sorry for all the pier traders.

"A number of those in the closed section have found alternative premises.

"Those who are left are also struggling, though, because a lot of visitors think the whole pier is closed.

"We've therefore launched this campaign to encourage visitors still to make the trip."

Moves to close the pier followed a dispute between the council and the owner, Ravenclaw Investments, over repairs to part of the structure.