Eastbourne Pier owner fires back following new protections
The owner of Eastbourne pier has responded to the landmark’s formal registration as an Asset of Community Value.
Sheikh Abid Gulzar appeared on BBC South East Today on Friday evening (September 25) following the announcement earlier that day.
An Asset of Community Value is a building or piece of land recognised as being of importance to the social, cultural, recreational or economic well-being of a local community.
This registration allows eligible community groups to prepare a bid and raise funds to purchase a local asset if the owner decides to put it up for sale, thus giving the local community more time and an opportunity to safeguard it.
Eastbourne MP Josh Babarinde launched the campaign to “protect our pier” in the Houses of Common in June, and he supported local community group Friends of Eastbourne Seafront in submitting the application for the status.
But Mr Gulzar told the BBC the new protections meant “nothing”, adding that he was not made aware of the intentions to register the Pier as an Asset of Community Value.
Furthermore, the owner suggested Mr Babarinde or Friends of Eastbourne Seafront should submit an offer to buy the Pier from him, casting doubt as to whether the necessary funds would ever be raised for this to happen.
However, the group’s representative Gaynor Sedwick said they ‘have no intention of buying the Pier’ if Mr Gulzar chooses to sell, instead hoping its new status allows time for a ‘suitable buyer’ to be found.
Following the registration, Mr Babarinde described the protections as ‘an important step’ to protecting the pier’s future.
The Liberal Democrats MP and Friends of Eastbourne Seafront have been approached for comment in response to Mr Gulzar.
Herald readers have weighed in on the new protections, with some expressing concern about the iconic landmark’s future.
Susanna Parsons commented: “I shall watch very closely on this. I fear things could go badly wrong.
“Do not charge to go on for a start. And if sold, unless the buyer would be a millionaire with interest in our pier, I see it deteriorating faster than the bandstand. Please, please be wise on future.”
Mr Gulzar has previously denied that he would charge an entrance fee to the Pier.
Other readers aligned themselves with Mr Gulzar’s view, even praising the owner for how he has ran the attraction.
Mark Potter wrote: “It’s pointless really. Mr Gulzar isn’t selling and if he was, it’s so unlikely the money could be found – as happened in Hastings. So, after the six months it would be sold to the highest bidder.
“We should be thanking Mr Gulzar as without him there wouldn’t be a pier today. Look at the start of the week - the paddle steamer [Waverley] docked, something that wasn’t possible under the previous owners as it needed investment to straighten the loading stage.”