Hastings Pier To Be Sold Again?!?

It appears the fake sheik is about cash in on his bargain buy, and put up for sale Hastings Pier (BBC), a landmark close to my heart, and which I have written about many times over the years, eg in this blog. Waiting to see the outcome, fingers crossed it's better than the last one!

Lighter Breakfast on Hastings Pier...

I was passing Hastings Pier earlier, and on another impulse I decided to sit in the shade of the Pavilion, and have a late-ish breakfast sandwich at Casa De Pier (facebook). The view for me (above) was lovely, the lapping of water on the shore below me was relaxing, I was sitting in the shade to cool down (I had been walking in the sunshine along the promenade) on the west side, close up to the building to keep out of gulls' views, hopefully, and I was successful.

I asked for a mug of tea and a bacon sandwich, then as a second thought asked for mushrooms as well please. What I got is shown in the image immediately above; I'd already started drinking the tea. Not quite the bacon and mushroom sandwich in untoasted bread I was expecting (would have been in a breadcake or other version of a bap elsewhere in the country), but bacon in toasted bread and mushrooms on the side, which I enjoyed immensely, and probably meant I received many more mushrooms than I would have got in a straight sandwich, and I love mushrooms. Not bad at all for a little over a fiver, I shall return, no doubt about that, nice one!

Hastings Pier - Oh Dear!

Can you see anyone on the Pier in the above photograph? I can't! Whatever, I've left this blog for nearly a week, mostly, because I was waiting for the Pier management to get back to my message to them on facebook, which they haven't yet...

Halfway down the Pier are these fences, either side of the Deck Building in the centre of the Pier. So, I'm a lot fed up that you cannot get onto half the Pier, that is, the half that is furthest into the sea and includes the binoculars/scopes furthest into the sea, thus giving good vision to the east and west, let alone the Channel. The half you can see below is what you cannot walk along, because of the fencing, and because it is set up for football and music concerts.

So the hard earned pennies that many local people donated to help save the Pier, plus £millions from the Heritage Fund, basically to reopen it and extend the promenade for local people and visitors to enjoy. Well we can't! The latest management obviously just want to make money, and the owner just wants to make money until he can sell the Pier, that's capitalism for you, but the Pier was saved by the Community, not Capitalism! We now have to accept that during the Summer, you can't get onto half of the Pier, the other half set up for children, during the rest of the year it is closed down completely, but what could have been (blog), and what a shame!

Hastings Pier Open Again -ish...

YES, I got onto Hastings Pier this morning too! Hence this nice view looking westwards towards Marine Court from by the Pavilion.

And the Pier's facebook page is providing information regarding the build up to more being open and available on it, for example, that Mackay's Amusements will be returning from the 16th of March... 

And, what must have contributed to the sad closure last year, much too soon after its opening, of the Deck Building and La Belle Vue (blog), which translates as 'Beautiful View' and who's view was definitely not so good with the obstructions that arrived with the live music later last year! Anyway, as you can see in the photograph above, the end of the pier is again blocked off as preparations are again made for live music from the Easter weekend (facebook), so the Pier is definitely opening up again!

I Haven't had a Moan for a while...

I haven't had a moan for a while, but, Hastings Pier remains closed, presumably until Easter or thereabouts, who knows?!?

Oh yes, and irresponsible cycling! Not just banned in central pedestrianised areas, but in Bottle Alley (where my first image suggests I was annoyed earlier) and the lower Promenade, on pavements, and in Alexandra Park, and that includes those bikes with enormous wheels/tyres and MOTORS (surely a bike with a motor is by definition a motorbike and should be licenced and using the road, not pavements and pedestrianised areas?!?), and shouldn't they stop at zebra/pedestrian crossings and traffic lights, and shouldn't they not go the wrong way down/up one-way streets...

Social order is falling apart at the seams... 😟

Seafront Saunter

I had a wander along the seafront to West Marina Gardens earlier, and back to the town centre, but the statue of Harold Godwinson and Edith Swan-neck reminded me of a blog I wrote 9 years ago, plus follow-ups. I wonder if Harold did live...

Oh yes, and Hastings Pier is closed, what a surprise! 😒

And, I meant to say recently, but forgot to report, that since it's grand refurbishment and reopening (blog), HMV is closed again for refurbishment, floods, eh!?!

Hastings Floods, oh yes, and Hastings Pier.

Well, following our second town centre flood this year (January blog), where water flooded out of this manhole cover (above), where is it?!? It now appears they couldn't/didn't fix a replacement manhole cover, and now it's fully tarmac. I shan't go into the possible resulting complications...😲

Of course, the drain opposite the Carlisle pub had been fixed, hadn't it? I'm shaking my head as this has been going on for ages (eg blog), and the drain that replaced the raised drain into the sea is often now below seawater, NB High Tides, and seawater just pushes back up the drain. Priory Meadow and much of the town centre used to be Hastings harbour, eg in 1066, thus much of it below seawater... I'm shaking my head now, Southern Water still don't seem to have figured all this out!

Oh yes, and Hastings Pier, the company that was running it, Lions Hastings Pier Ltd, ie the company owned by the owner of the Pier, went into administration earlier this year (blog). However, Gulzar, the owner, said that no way would the Pier close, only "over my dead body" he asserted (Sussex World), indeed, he has "£100 million in reserve to keep it open." Why hasn't he spent any money on the Pier for its upkeep then? Or for improvements? Or a new pavilion on it like the Friends of Hastings Pier (blog) planned for in their bid; just what was in that brown envelope?!?

And La Belle Vue, in the central pavilion, had to close down for now, sadly, although I believe they have plans to reopen in the future. It all looked so positive when I visited and had a few beers back in May (blog). I shan't go into the problems there, but no doubt having the excellent view obscured by stages, boxes and speakers didn't help for a restaurant called La Belle Vue. 

But La Belle Vue has merged with Casa de Pier (blog) in the remaining pavilion, and this is still open, pretty much all that was open on the Pier at the weekend...

Good luck to both businesses! 👍

Hastings Pier, Music & Summer 2023

Walking past Hastings Pier earlier, on my way back from Bulverhythe, and things on the Pier reminded me that music has returned at weekends, presumably just for the summer, but who knows, via Piertown Hastings (website).

Not sure how that will effect La Belle Vue (blog), although I imagine it will not be great for the view whilst enjoying your French cuisine Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, and maybe a bit noisy too... 😕

A Bank Holiday Seafront Wander

Living close to sea level means that many of us have to walk uphill to reach many of our destinations, unless we walk along the seafront 😉 At Bulverhythe.

The Azur/St Leonards beach huts have returned from their winter retreat (blog).

Hastings diminishing beach-launched fishing fleet; I've written about Hastings fishing industry a number of times, eg blog.

At Rock-a-Nore with very green water; I'm guessing due to algae... 

Indeed, it was a very pleasant walk this morning, cheers folks!

Things are changing, and Good, and not so Good, News!

I've been waiting to drink on Hastings Pier again for quite a while now, and they do sell bottle-conditioned St Austell Proper Job, at 5.5% a beefed up and better version of the cask ale I believe, and many others agree, and which helped me through the dreaded lockdowns (blog). So I visited La Belle Vue (website) on the pier, the recently opened French bistro and bar, and chatted to the proprietor Keir a couple of days before coming here for a drink, indeed, I took the photograph above on the south facing upstairs 'outside' bar just before meeting her.

I came back on Saturday and drank in the downstairs bar, where I was served by the proficient Lucien, who I got on famously with as he had studied at the University of Exeter, and I had trained and worked in Exeter many years before, indeed, before he was born! 😁 However, when he wasn't carrying out his dealing with other customer duties we did share memories of the wonderful city that is Exeter, and which feels more like a town, and where I haven't visited since 2009, having lived here in the mid/late 1980s (blog written by Kieran).

I did drink a few pints, first, La Belle Vue Cidre (4.8%), which I believe to be from Appleshed Cider of Hereford (twitter), and made with apples that grow in their own "orchards that shelter beneath the Malvern Hills in Gloucestershire." A medium dry cider, not as dry as the usual ciders I drink, but very refreshing, and just £4.40 a pint, on a seaside pier, great value indeed!

I then drank La Belle Vue Lager, or Bière Blonde (4.0%), I haven't been able to work out where it's from, but it was very good, and tasted more like a Belgian blonde ale than a lager to me, although not quite the potency of many Belgian beers. 😁 At 4.0% I could drink this all day, and at just £4.25 a pint, I could nearly afford to drink it all day, excellent value! 😉

My final pint was of Grand Central IPA (above photo and 4.2%), which is brewed in the Manchester area, I believe by Hydes Brewery of Salford. This is what I call a 'crafty keg' beer, and 'vegan friendly' with a slight haze. Brewed with 6 different hops from the USA and Australia, consequently packed with citrus and forest fruit flavours, and quite delicious, cheers!

Oh yes, and La Belle Vue is primarily a French restaurant (website), with traditional French starters including Soupe à l'oignon, Escargot, Leek Terrine et Cuisses de grenouille, main meals as the above menu, and interesting bar snacks too (facebook). I also briefly chatted to another couple of staff, very friendly respectful service, and met up with Keir again, which was a nice touch to end my visit, I'll be back! 👌 

Also, St Andrews Mews, which I have written about a few times before, eg blog, is under new ownership, and pastel shades of paint are now adorning the walls, and things are changing indeed. The cafe that was there has been enlarged and is now a 'bar & grill' and a smaller takeaway coffee outlet has arrived too, some businesses are staying, some have left, and some new ones are arriving, watch this space!

After the fire at 39-41 George Street, reported in this blog, and the postponement of the new building project, I have it on good authority the demolition of the old amusement arcade/night club is happening. Sadly, the neighbouring Rainbow Restaurant, 11 Sturdee Place, cannot start it's own rebuilding/refurbishment until the demolition is complete and it is safe to work there, so not for some months yet (facebook).

Oh yes, forgot to mention that the drainage appears to be sorted out, at least here!

Hastings Pier Waking Up!

Indeed, after a winter hibernating, it appears things are starting to happen on Hastings Pier, starting this Saturday 13th May, each month until September there will be music supplied by DJs, from 14.00 to 21.00, chill @ the pier (facebook). 

Funny, often truthful: Mark Steel in Hastings

My brother recently told me about this radio programme (Mark Steel's In Town - Hastings BBC Radio 4), recorded when Mark Steel visited Hastings over 4 years ago, I'm guessing it was at the White Rock, please feel free to correct me if you were at the recording, and I'm presuming incorrectly. Indeed, Rod has since suggested it was likely at St Mary in the Castle, which reminds us how much we're missing St Mary in the Castle now, sadly, but cheers Rod. Anyway, if you haven't heard it, it is amusing, has many elements of truth, twisted a wee bit for humour at times, obviously, but worth listening to for a laugh, enjoy! 😁

Casa de Pier Bar Restaurant is open on Hastings Pier...

The Casa de Pier Bar Restaurant is now open on Hastings Pier (facebook) for coffees and snacks, and the 'Mediterranean' kitchen open for lunches and dinners from 12.00 noon until last orders at 9.00pm/21.00 hours.

Hastings Pier Update

I have now walked on Hastings Pier for the first time this year and was very pleased to see someone fishing from the east side of the pier, nice one, and I just saw on their facebook page that there is a dedicated area for fishing between 09.00 and 18.00, at a fee of £6 for one rod and £10 for 2 rods 👍  

Otherwise, there's still plenty of empty space, as you can see from my photograph, although there has been a fairground for small children at the end nearest land, the other side of the Deck Pavilion, way back there! Oh yes, and a French Bistro and bar looks far away from what I could see in the pavilion, and they still appear to be working on the west pavilion/Italian Restaurant, but there are a number of huts now taken up.

👌

Seafront Walk & Changing Face of Hastings

Before reaching the seafront I walked past Priory Meadow, noting that the car park is free to enter for now, although the hours of opening are now 07.00 to 19.00 (above). Presumably this is connected to the recent flood and ongoing work, still, free, eh?!?

Then, turning right onto the seafront after walking through Robertson Street and the America Ground, I wandered up to Hastings Pier, which remains closed, but the promise of its reopening very soon under new management (Sussex World). Indeed, the Pavilion to the front and west (above) is to become an Italian/Mediterranean Restaurant, and the central Deck Pavilion is to become a French Bistro and bar, with other food offerings from the huts, so, good news, and roll on!

Where the waste pipe from the drain opposite The Carlisle and Albert Road was damaged what seems like years ago, well, that appears to being worked on at last!

Hastings Jewel in the Crown, St Mary in the Castle (blog), and the restaurant, remain closed, with its own Shanty Town in front; be wary if you have small children or a dog as you go by, as detritus in the vicinity includes drug use throwaways. People either loved Jeremy Birch (R.I.P.) or didn't, but I tend to believe he would not have let this situation develop for what he called Hastings Jewel in the Crown if he had still been leader of the Council. However, there does appear to be expressions of interest being made to the Council including from a community consortium, so, fingers crossed...

Oh yes, and The Deluxe Bingo Hall closed at the weekend, although it appears that the amusement arcade is still functioning, at least the machines are still lit; I've heard their lease lasts for a while longer. And another Hastings seafront building that made an obvious cameo appearance in the film Byzantium (blog).

So, things do change, stay safe folks!

Hastings Pier: Apparently New Management for 2023?

Well, I shared my concerns for the future of Hastings Pier, as furniture was being sold off, in a blog at the beginning of the month. Then I was reassured by a couple of friends that they have sold off the benches etc each year they've managed entertainment on the Pier, so no problem really (blog).

I've since seen on Sussex World (website) that on the Pier's official facebook page they have said the Pier is not closing down, but will be "getting new management" and should re-open by April, but I can't see that comment on facebook, I can only see comments from people saying how sad and thanks for the last 2 years. 

I'll keep my eye on what's going on... 😟

Maybe Hastings Pier News Not So Bad...

Indeed, maybe the news about Hastings Pier isn't as bad as I had first suspected (blog), since writing that blog I have received messages from 2 sources, a friend on twitter, Fee, and another on facebook, Helga, who both have told me the same promising news, many thanks! That is, the management team who have been running the pier's entertainment venue the last couple of years sell off the furniture and buy new furniture, benches etc., when the lease is renewed the next year, fingers crossed a new lease is offered to them again in 2023... 😌

And, who remembers fishing from the pier? OK, maybe not that long ago (above, and many thanks again to Sandra Bryant for sharing that image nearly 5 years ago - blog)!

But, for example, 5 years ago (blog), when the weather was a bit friendlier than today, and certainly compared to the previous photograph too!

'tis a shame the resource that is Hastings Pier hasn't been used by anglers for a few years now, and not by anyone the last month plus... 😞

Anyway, hopefully a bit more promising news for us.

Bye Bye Hastings Pier?!?

What is it about Hastings landmarks being lost? Now, and I'm just guessing, but if 53 benches, and 52 PED barriers, are being sold off (Hastings Pier facebook page), what are the chances that the lease for Hastings Pier is being renewed for 2023? 

Concerned of Hastings... 😒

Hastings Bonfire, Pier, RNLI Stall & O.W.E.N.S

Apologies for the language, but this was the effigy destroyed yesterday evening, self-explanatory, and cheers to Rod for sending this photo to me - credit for this photo goes to @allybobble from twitter - many thanks to you, nice one! But no fireworks last night sadly, as the wind was too strong to enable their safe display, still, looking on the bright side, plenty of fireworks available for next year!

I had chatted to a few of HBBS members clearing up before wandering to the west and passing the very empty Hastings Pier, apparently not to open up for Christmas, sadly.

A wander through Bottle Alley to just below Warrior Square Gardens and on the lower promenade was, and is still I presume, a RNLI Lifeboat Stall. Had a good chat with the 2 volunteers, good luck to their endeavour!

Oh yes, and carrying on home, walking into Robertson Street, and O.W.E.N.S appears to be open, sort of, they're not great with the online explanations (website), but the notice (above) is in the window of what was Debenhams, and presumably shows the opening times until they open 'officially' on the 11th of November... Not sure if it meant yesterday or next Saturday, but be watchful in the town centre. Anyway, the website gives alternative opening times to the 12.00 noon opening times in the notice.

I have spoken to friends who have visited O.W.E.N.S, so go for it people!

Coastal Currents Returns & A Busy Weekend!

It is a busy weekend, sorry I'm a wee bit late with this one, but the 2022 Coastal Currents Arts Festival is on this and next weekend (website), but many events continue for another month or so! Indeed, from Bulverhythe to Rock-a-Nore, and further east, west and north too, "workshops, performances, films and exhibitions" galore!

Tomorrow (Sunday 4th) is the second year that Palestine on the Pier has been organised, from 12.00 to 6.00pm, a free cultural festival for all the family. Music, Dance, Food, a Catwalk Show of hand-embroidered dresses, Kite-making Workshop, Market, Talks, Story Telling and much more; go to the website for more information.

In addition, tomorrow sees the second First Sunday of the Bohemia Creative Quarter (BCQ) and now their regular first Sunday of every month events! The event, or events really, will be held from 11.00am to 4.00pm in the Bohemia/London/Tower Roads triangle, the BCQ covers an area with over 80 businesses. Go to their facebook page for the details of what is on, face painting, creative workshops, live performances, wellness and beauty, affordable art, home decor, music, antiques, bric-a-brac, street food, Steampunk and vintage stalls. Explore Bohemia and enjoy the day!

And, of course, so much more to do in Hastings, live music, museums and the seafront; more details of events @ allevents, but just walk around, there's plenty to enjoy...

As if we haven't had an exciting enough weekend already, enjoy folks! 👌