STORY

WEST PIER WALK

I have a photo-booth photo of my first girlfriend, taken on West Pier back in... a long time ago! Even then she was a sad relic of bygone days.
The pier was in pretty poor shape as well.

After many years of toing and froing, the money (£30-odd million) has been found to restore the pier to its full 1920's glory - on the outside at least. Inside all manner of facilities are being planned: museum, gallery, shops, hotel and much more. This will all be completed, within budget and in time for the summer season of 2001. We are told...

Now, I am not an expert but I have done some painting and decorating in my time and I think they have under-priced the job. The pier is in such an appalling state of disrepair, one has to wonder whether it is simply just too late to resurrect it. Something has to be done though. Bits are falling off all the time and a couple of good storms could wash it away. It would be a shame if it ended up in Worthing.

I think it is a very good thing for Brighton if they manage to fix it up and it will doubtless be a huge commercial success in the long term.

In the meantime I strongly recommend taking the Pier Walk with one of the excellent and informative guides. Take a camera, a couple of lenses and a flash - the interior of the faded and tatty "Laughterland" is particularly poignant.

This is an important piece of history that, at last, is going to get a new lease of life.

Bernard Claydon


WEST PIER WALK

	I have a photo-booth photo of my first girlfriend, taken on West Pier back in... a long time ago! Even then she was a sad relic of bygone days. The pier was in pretty poor shape as well.
	After many years of toing and froing, the money (£30-odd million) has been found to restore the pier to its full 1920's glory - on the outside at least. Inside all manner of facilities are being planned: museum, gallery, shops, hotel and much more. This will all be completed, within budget and in time for the summer season of 2001. We are told... Now, I am not an expert but I have done some painting and decorating in my time and I think they have under-priced the job. The pier is in such an appalling state of disrepair, one has to wonder whether it is simply just too late to resurrect it. Something has to be done though. Bits are falling off all the time and a couple of good storms could wash it away. It would be a shame if it ended up in Worthing. I think it is a very good thing for Brighton if they manage to fix it up and it will doubtless be a huge commercial success in the long term. In the meantime I strongly recommend taking the Pier Walk with one of the excellent and informative guides. Take a camera, a couple of lenses and a flash - the interior of the faded and tatty "Laughterland" is particularly poignant. This is an important piece of history that, at last, is going to get a new lease of life.

	Bernard Claydon