The owners of the Palace Pier in Brighton have hit back at those who signed a petition of protest against it.
The petition, signed by 10,000 people, was handed to pier staff by proprietors of the shop Seafront Image.
It called on the owners of the pier to stop trying to prevent the West Pier from being restored.
David Biesterfield, a director of the Noble Organisation which owns the Palace Pier, said he had not seen the petition but understood what it said.
He added: "If they knew the full facts they would not have signed the petition but instead would have asked the West Pier to abandon its crazy plans."
Mr Biesterfield said the West Pier restoration could threaten the viability of his pier and would be unfair competition.
The Palace Pier is mounting legal and other challenges to the West Pier restoration, which includes shoreline pavilions. National Lottery funding of up to £14 million is also likely to be made available.
Monday October 27, 2003
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