Traders on the safe part of condemned Hastings Pier have vowed to seek a High Court injunction to stop owners closing the entire attraction on Monday.

Hastings Borough Council this week used emergency powers to close most of the pier for safety reasons until a full court hearing scheduled for August 8.

A council inspection claimed parts of the pier were unsafe and the 130-year-old structure was in danger of collapsing under the weight of large crowds.

It closed the building from the facade onwards but decided the front horseshoe-shaped apron, home to a number of thriving shops, cafs and bars, was safe.

But pier owner Ravenclaw Investments Inc said it is not commercially viable to keep just the front open and it will shut the gates on Monday.

Representative Harmesh Pooni said: "The harsh closure of most of the pier has taken away 75 per cent of our income and for commercial reasons we cannot keep just a small part open.

"The council has taken a decision beyond its remit. This is the consequence."

He is meeting Hastings MP Michael Foster on Monday and also wants to meet the council.

He said: "We need to come to an agreement. If not, we have no choice but to close on Monday.

"It's distressing for the community and traders but we see no other course of action."

Mr Pooni said precise commercial reasons for closing the front of the pier were confidential.

Erika Bauer, owner of the Gritti Palace bar, said: "We had been expecting this. I have personal legal representation, as has the Pier Traders Association. We are advised that if they close us down they do not have a leg to stand on legally.

"Once we have written notice we will apply for a High Court injunction demanding they keep it open.

"We have contracts that must be honoured. All they would need to pay for is the security guard at the gate, which presumably they would need anyway if they closed the whole pier.

"We are open for business and intend to stay that way but feel desperately sorry for our friends on the rest of the pier whose businesses have been closed."

Traders are now divided between those at the back of the pier who have already lost their businesses and those fighting to keep them.

Jenny Watson, owner of BJ's on the Beach caf, said: "We can't see any justifiable reason to close this part of the pier. The pier has been dead this week at what should be the height of the season. We are fully behind efforts to take legal action."

Fishermen who use the pier have been circulating a petition in the town.

Peter Hargreaves, owner of the closed Deluxe Bingo Club, is considering legal action against the owners for breach of contract. He accused the council of negligence in not undertaking its safety inspection earlier.

A Hastings Borough Council spokeswoman said: "Our duty has always been the safety of the public. We can't comment any further due to pending legal proceedings in this case."

Friday, June 23, 2006