ARTS boss Julian Caddy yesterday admitted he "could have been more diplomatic" in his language in his scathing attack on the Palace Pier.

Mr Caddy, who is the managing director of the Brighton Fringe festival, ripped into the "blot on the landscape" and said there was no shortage of people willing to spend their money in the "poor amusement arcade" before heading back to their coaches "via Sports Direct and Primark".

But he said in retrospect he could have been more diplomatic.

He said: "I do think there could be a greater variety of attractions in order to broaden its appeal.

"A key characteristic of Brighton is inclusiveness, and this is the same for Brighton Fringe, which reflects a massive cross section of all art forms and appeals to many different audiences.

"This is what I would love to see for the pier, I would love to see it truly offer something for everyone."

He said that with so much to celebrate in the city the pier should be a reflection of that.

He said: "Of course there should be fish and chips and amusement arcades – it wouldn’t be a pier without this – but it should also reflect other sides of Brighton: its creative, artistic nature but also its amazing food scene, its independent businesses and its incredible heritage.

"I wish the pier’s new owners the very best in their new endeavour and look forward to seeing it go from strength to strength."