A community group has expressed a formal interest in buying historic landmark Hastings Pier, which was funded by charitable donations, from its private Eastbourne hotelier owner.
Friends of Hastings Pier (FOHP) advised the local authority of its interest in bidding for the landmark, ahead of a deadline yesterday, after Sheikh Abid Gulzar notified the council of his intention to dispose of the pier last month.
Following the group’s notice, Hastings Borough Council (HBC) has announced a six-month moratorium period until 15 April 2026 during which the pier can only be sold to a qualifying community interest group.
The renovated dock, a former asset of the now-closed Hastings Pier Charity, which had received £12.7m of Heritage Lottery Fund Money, as well as £1m in other funds, was sold to Abid Gulzar for a reported £50,000 in 2018.
FOHP said it was “actively involved” with stakeholders in supporting its plan to bring the pier back under community control.
The group, which has not decided whether to register as a charity, also said that it has spoken with two structural engineering companies to get cost estimates for a full condition survey of the pier.
Previous failed bid
In 2018, pier administrators Smith & Williamson turned down a £500,000 bid from FOHP in favour of Abid Gulzar’s offer, opting for a commercial operator with prior experience running a pier over a local community group.
Helena Dollimore, Labour MP for Hastings and Rye, said last month that the town remained “deeply angry” about the sale to Abid Gulzar years ago and gave FOHP her full support.
Dollimore, in a Facebook post, said: “I urge Mr Gulzar to change his approach and work with – not against – the people of Hastings.”
Tony Armstrong, chief executive of community ownership organisation Locality, called on the government to support groups such as FOHP to reclaim valued local buildings.
Armstrong said: “It’s good news that the local community in Hastings are once again bidding to take control of Hastings Pier, after local people brought it back to life.
“Thousands of other valued local buildings and spaces are being lost each year […] that’s why we’re calling on the government to provide support.”
Abid Gulzar did not respond to a request for comment.
