Eastbourne Pier: Owner's plans two years after fire

Two years after fire ripped through Eastbourne Pier, the new owner says his top priority is to replace the badly damaged theatre.

Sheikh Abid Gulzar, who bought the pier in October, said: "The pier is coming up beautifully. I'm very happy and busy working seven days [a week]."

About one third of the 1870 Grade II listed structure was destroyed in the blaze on 30 July 2014.

Sussex Police said they had "no clear picture" of what caused the fire.

A spokesman said the blaze had "destroyed the scene and recoverable evidence" and investigation was closed in July 2015.

Temporary pop-up shops were opened for traders in August 2014.

Ian Donald, who runs Gifts at the Pier said: "If it hadn't been for the council putting up a little pop-up shop near the end of the pier I don't know how we would have survived."

He said the return of the amusements to the pier had proved to be successful in attracting families and children on to the pier.

In August 2014, Stephen Penrice, from Cumbria died while working on the fire-damaged pier after falling on to the beach.

Sheikh Gulzar, said he had initially intended to turn the original theatre into a casino.

"I think the church is objecting to a casino so I may try and make it into a dance hall. It's massive.

"I want to go ahead where the general public is supportive and everyone is happy."

In May he told the Eastbourne Herald, external the theatre was in a "shocking state of disrepair" and had been left untouched since being badly damaged by fire in 1970.

"I think people used to ask my why I took on such a tremendous task. I'm very happy and busy working seven days [a week]," Sheikh Gulzar told BBC Sussex.