THE colourful owner of Eastbourne Pier has hit back at critics who have slammed him for painting parts of it gold.

The Argus reported yesterday that Historic England and Eastbourne District Council have stepped in after complaints about work being done on the pier.

The organisations have ordered that all work is halted as permission has not been given for the painting of the dome of the Camera Obscura and 40 decorative lions.

In a letter to The Argus, Sheikh Abid Gulzar pledged to rise above the criticism from what he said was a tiny minority and described the pier as a project of the heart.

He said: "I have put my heart and soul into this pier since I became the owner last autumn.

"I have invested hundreds of thousands of pounds, yet still there is a minority of people who want to have a pop at me.

"Does it get me down? Well, sometimes it does but I know that I must rise above it.

"I am working seven days a week making Eastbourne Pier better."

The Indian-born business man came to Britain in 1965 at the age of 19. He owns several hotels but said he has sold both the Chatsworth Hotel and is in the process of selling the 122-room Mansion Lions Hotel, to fund the pier project.

He added: "This weekend just gone was the second anniversary of the devastating fire on the pier. I fear that some people may have a short memory.

"I made a pledge when I bought the pier I would make it great again - and that is what I am going. It is taking a lot of time and costing a lot of money.

"I couldn't see a queue of people at the time fighting to take on the pier. Well I did, and I did because I love Eastbourne, and I love the pier.

"Am I really doing something so badly wrong? I think not. I am putting a bit of character into the pier with the gold - it's not like I have painted the whole pier gold for heaven's sake - and most people tell me how nice it all looks."

He said that the footfall on the pier has almost tripled since he has taken over and he pledged to carry on with his vision for the pier.

He said: "For me it is a project of the heart. It was the most neglected pier in Britain but there has been a lot of work carried out. I am looking for the next generation to enjoy it.

"I am not scared to think outside the box. I’m not charging people. They are coming onto my investment free of charge, and I will continue to work seven days a week for the good."