PICTURE THIS

Pier progress

Domed and turreted Eastbourne Pier, on Grand Parade, was opened in 1870 as a ‘promenade pier’, later adapted to be a ‘pleasure pier’ with attractions such as a music pavilion and

a camera obscura. The Grade II* listed structure, 1,000ft (300m) long, was one of 14 British piers designed by architect Eugenius Birch and is now the nest surviving example of his work. In 2014 the pier caught re, destroying several buildings,

but was saved from destruction. Since then, the new owner, local hotelier Sheikh Abid Gulzar, has added 20 new benches

to the open deck and repainted this loveliest of Victorian relics for everyone’s renewed enjoyment. To nd out when Eastbourne Pier is open go to eastbournepier.com.

Photograph: VisitEastbourne.com.