This remarkable Pier opened in 1872 and was designed by Eugenius Birch. It was the first pier designed for recreational use and is a testament to the lasting feats of Victorian engineering and enterprise. However, it declined during the 1970s, finally closing its doors for good in 2008. A fire in 2010 led to an intensive community campaign to save the Pier and within eight weeks Hastings Pier Charity began the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) process. On 15 August 2013 HPC took ownership of the pier. Thanks to £14 million in funding Hastings Pier will be restored and is due to open in March 2016.
Through the work of the Learning, Education and Volunteering departments we will provide high quality opportunities for people to: * Learn about Hastings Pier’s past through interpretation and activities. * Engage with Hastings Pier through volunteering and events. * Use Hastings Pier as a gateway to employability. * Enjoy their interactions with Hastings Pier.
And through this work the ultimate goal is that people will feel a sense of ownership and involvement, an increased sense of pride in the area and as a result they will care for and about the future of Hastings Pier. This document sets out how we will work towards achieving these aims in the short, medium and long term.