Easter Newsletter from the Pier Trust

The trustees would like to thank you for all the support you have given us the last few months and we wish you a very happy Easter break.

There is a lot going on at present – it looks as if the planning permission for a retail village on the pier is going to be successful and we are now busy with bids for the money to build it. This is an exciting time for the regeneration of the pier. We have a vision that by next Christmas we shall all see the pier lit up like a ship with people buying their jacket potatoes, pancakes and mulled wine and browsing among the shopping units for gifts.

This spring, special thanks goes to the 87 members who replied either by letter or email to our last newsletter – many of you wrote up to a page on what you would like to happen on the pier, both short and long term. With this high level of supportive response - nearly 25% of our membership writing to us - we really feel that we now know what members of HBPT want from us and we promise that we shall do our best to implement your wishes. As trustees of a charity our first responsibility is to represent our members’ opinions.

Over the next four weeks, we aim to reply to everyone who sent in their views and answer any questions you put to us.

Best wishes, Doreen Stone, HBPT Chairman.

Bringing the Pier to Life in 2013

Do you or someone you know want to sell seaside goods? Looking for a prime outlet for quality crafts and produce? Where better than on the pier!

Come and talk to the Pier Trust about it. HBPT is inviting established and new businesses, individuals and groups to apply for one of its beach hut kiosks.

The 18 Pier Trust Retail Beach Kiosks for which we have put in planning permission will run up the right hand side of the leg and round the corner onto the platform. They will make a bright cheery shopping place much the same as the one at Whitstable Harbour but more fun and with lots more colour.

We envisage the beach hut village offering quality traditional seaside products including gifts, sweets and rock, ices, artwork, crafts, seaside gifts, toys, fish and chips, sea foods, farmers’ produce, plants, jewellery and books. However, the Trust is open to ideas and will welcome all enquiries for other sales.

Please drop a note with your contact details into the Pier Trust Gallery and Shop or email us on hbpt.office@gmail.com to discuss your enquiry.

The big advantage for the initial 12 – 14 units will be that they will be cleverly situated to utilize the existing canopy for extra protection against rain and wind with windshields in the gaps between the huts. This will provide shoppers with a sheltered walkway in all weathers. 

Despite the Trust’s reservations about the mini-golf – reservations which we sent to CCC when we first heard about the plans in mid-November - an attraction aiming to bring additional people past the beach hut kiosks is likely to make the units very viable. (Incidentally, we heard about the mini golf plans at the same time as we had just submitted our own business plans for the platform including a community stage, events marquis, café and seating.)

The retail kiosks will be decorated in traditional beach hut colours with lock-up counters and electricity. On the back walls, the huts will spell out HERNE BAY PIER .We also hope to remove, replace or decorate some of the unsightly blue panels dividing the leg of the pier.

The business plan we have now submitted is based on a monthly rental of approximately £275 per unit - less than £70 a week which includes electricity. Established businesses will also be liable for rates but new sellers with a small turnover will be rate free. As we have received a lot of enquiries from people such as artists who want to book a unit for a short term, we are currently reconsidering this.  For longer term bookings, even if the kiosk is available for 12 months, we shall only be charging for 10 months to take into account the weather conditions.

One beach hut will be reserved without charge for community groups and charities to book into.

The Trust has a lot of additional ideas for the pier area including temporary concessions, farmers’ markets, art weekends, antique markets and exhibitions. We are also still considering a ‘shared community use’ stage for live music and possibly a film or two…Jaws or Mama Mia - which one first?

Recent Events since New Year

Herne Bay Music Launch at King’s Hall 

We would like to thank Emily Edwards who contacted us last summer to discuss her and business partner, Carl Crane’s, plans to launch their Herne Bay Music with first proceeds donated to the Pier Trust. We were delighted that the musical evening of February 9th at the King’s Hall was such a success. More than 250 people of all ages attended and had a wonderfully well organised evening of music.

Trustees first met Emily, who is only 18 and still at school, when she presented a remarkably professional pitch to the Board last summer and we are glad we chose to support her plans. The managers of the King’s Hall transformed the ballroom and with the help of ex-trustee, David Shepherd, the evening was full of good humour and music of up and coming bands.

Well done, Emily and Carl, and thank you for the donation to the Pier Trust. It was a pleasure to work with you. Wait until we are ready for performance on the pier! We’ll have a venue to be proud of.

Gallery and Shop News

Come and see the new look Gallery and Shop – open now from 11.00am – 5.00pm from Friday to Sunday every week. Alan Beales, its manager, has filled it with gifts, cards, an exhibition of artists’ work on the theme of the sea front and pier. The gallery also displays pictures explaining the work currently being done on the esplanade and lots of information of the pier old and new. We are pleased to share the space with Herne Bay in Bloom who also have an exhibition of their work. If you wish to renew your membership, drop in for a chat, look at the pictures on sale or deliver a letter to us, you will be made most welcome by Alan and his team of volunteers without whom it would be very hard for the Trust to function. Another volunteer, Colin Barker, is heading up our new events team. If you would like to join either team, please pop into the gallery.

Junior News

In January, two of us spent a delightful afternoon meeting the year 6 pupils at Herne Bay Junior School. The children had, that morning, walked along to the pier and so our visual presentation which was full of pictures and questions about the history of the piers fitted usefully into their current local project.

During February, the pupils spent time drawing their ideas for the future pier cleverly using computer aided design software to remarkable effect. Some chose to construct models of their design concepts. We now have an exhibition of their work running at the Gallery and Shop in Central Parade. Come and have a look.

A Junior HBPT Club

Following our recent happy interaction with both the primary schools and Herne Bay High, we would like to start a Junior Pier Trust Club this spring. After all, continuing local pride in Herne Bay and a willingness to carry on developing the pier plans when we are finished will be in their hands in due course. We hope to involve the younger generation in events, performance and generating ideas.

Wine and Wisdom

On March 22nd we held our fourth Quiz Evening at the King’s Hall. As Peter was already booked, we were lucky to have Gideon Scott and his team in charge of the evening. Thanks Gideon. The food provided by the staff was also excellent. Thanks also to all who donated prizes for the raffle which included a fruit basket from Peter’s Produce, a cake from the Pantry, and an Egg basket from Mrs Cook. The auction of wood craft including a unique garden chair made the evening an excellent fundraising event for the Trust. 

The Pier Head

We have recently attempted to rescue our lights and equipment from the pier head but the weather conditions and rotting wood made this too difficult. However, another attempt will be made as we would like to use the equipment along the leg. There are also suggestions abroad that maybe the metal structure of the café can be rescued and reconstructed on the shore at the entrance of the pier. 

The Long Pier - a shared vision for members and trustees

The responses we received from nearly 90 members (not including ourselves) were full of ideas and strong opinions about the future of the long pier and the returns made very enlightening reading. They supported the Board’s reluctance to support siting a marina at the end of the pier and only 2 of the members’ responses voted for this option.

The letter from the marina engineer which appeared in both local papers had clearly impressed readers with its viewpoint and his expert experience. His opinion echoed the reservations which Marina Projects, a marina company sub-contracted by Gifford in the 2011 Report, expressed when they recommended the Trust to look at alternative options for the marina other than at the end of pier. The 2011 Draft Report stated that a marina a mile out at sea was not the recommended option. While fully supporting any other group wishing to work on a marina project, the Pier Trust will confine itself to re-establishing a pier as a community asset for all residents to enjoy. 

One of the previous trustees has passed onto us the valuable work she had done on what makes a pier successful – much appreciated as we are about to start researching and contacting the most popular pier trusts in UK. Herne Bay Pier will need a unique selling point to attract investment and bring in the visitors. Armed with the information in the reports and having subsumed the rebuild objective back into the Board, we shall be working hard this year bringing our existing pier back to life.

We have a busy year ahead but now the trustees and members have a shared vision.

Herne Bay's Pier Trust gets new entertainment boss

Bay music man David Shepherd has been put in charge of entertainment at the town's Pier Trust following criticisms from the city council. At the last executive meeting, officers accused the trust of being inexperienced. So councillors voted officers an extra £6,000 to boost their events team to help organise some events for the summer.

David Shepherd

But the Pier Trust has hit back by taking on musician Mr Shepherd, who runs public address company Tasty Sound. Mr Shepherd said:

"I have been a trustee on the Herne Bay Pier Trust since September and was put forward for my expertise in event management. The trust is taking huge steps in drafting in experts from various industries to fulfil the demands of a fully rounded plan. While I appreciate the council's concerns, I can assure the people of Herne Bay that we are a much more dynamic and focused group than when many of the concerns were first raised."

Mr Shepherd has been working with the city council's events team for the past six years, helping to organise the eight-day 40-band Herne Bay Rocks talent show spread over eight venues during the Herne Bay Festival. He has also managed the main stage and compered shows. He said:

"My previous background was in the music industry, where I toured as a sound technician for pop and rock artists. I have managed and co-ordinated events in entertainment and corporate circles, supplying equipment for Princess Anne and American President Barack Obama. Let us not forget the Pier Trust's Christmas market and grotto, which had more than 3,500 visitors, with 650 children visiting Santa and more than 750 schoolchildren singing."

"We have a limited time to organise events but that is nothing new. Schedules are often tight. But I have enormous faith in the council's events team who have always been hugely co-operative. I am absolutely confident we will be running some amazing events on the pier this year. I would also love to hear from anyone who would like to get involved as we are always open to new ideas."

Call Mr Shepherd on 07740 163795 or e-mail tastysound@aol.co.uk

thisiskent

Pier Trust reveals extension plans

Campaigners have unveiled plans to extend the pier and build a new pavilion. Members of Herne Bay Pier Trust revealed details of the scheme – the brainchild of graphic designer Dave Parish – ahead of a crucial council meeting to debate the pier's future after council officers claimed the lack of a clear plan for the site meant that "difficult decisions" would have to be made.

In a six-page report due to be discussed by the council's ruling executive on 2nd Feb, council officer Dawn Hudd raised a number of issues. She said:

"Communications with the trust have been contradictory and we are now at a point where difficult decisions need to be made about any programme of activity this year. A clear understanding needs to be obtained of any planning limitations for the site. Given the Pier Trust's lack of experience and its own admission about its capacity… significant input from council officers will be required."

But pier bosses hit back, and said they were reviewing several options, including a row of beach hut-type stalls, a cafe, a local-information stall and an area for angling. They hope to attract private funding for their plans. Spokeswoman Doreen Stone said:

"We have been working hard for the future of the pier through our two appointed councillor trustees, Andrew Cook and Joe Howes. The trust sent its business plan to the council before Christmas. We have agreed to present a final business plan in mid February. On the main platform, we have suggested a multi-purpose floor, which could be used for skating, musical events, comedy, dancing and live performances. A local designer has presented rough drafts of two domes to cover the activity areas and the trust is currently planning several events this summer."

Council officials have warned any events need to be planned urgently, as most will need a premises licence, which takes 56 days. Health and safety issues, planning limitations and how to get power and water to the pier platform also need to be considered.

Councillors will be told tonight that they have four options, including leaving the site empty and closed off once the pavilion is demolished in about six weeks' time, keeping full control of the pier and putting activities in place, or keeping control of the pier platform but helping the Pier Trust and other organisations to organise events.

They were expected to choose the last option, and request an additional £40,600 from Canterbury City Council on top of their current budget for the pier of £75,000. The increased budget will include £18,000 for insurance, £10,000 for gates, £5,000 for a tide gauge and £10,300 for navigation lights, as well as £20,000 contingency money.

Heron councillor Andrew Cook told the Times:

"The council and the Pier Trust are working very closely to ensure activities are put in place. We will be presenting those at the King's Hall business and community exhibition on March 21. Local designer David Parish has presented us with a exciting model of a Victorian building with modern elements as a possible cover for the pier platform, which is quite exposed.

We are looking at the feasibility and finances of putting something like this in place; if not this summer, then during phase two, possibly over a platform doubled in length. Realistically, the pier platform is likely to open for its first event to coincide with the Queen's Jubilee."

HB Times 3rd Feb 2012

Trust proposes economic vision for future of Herne Bay pier

It was the end of the pier show this week as wreckers finally moved in to start demolishing Herne Bay's Pier Pavilion. But the big question now is: what will replace it?

Members of the town's Pier Trust were given a glimpse into the future at its second annual meeting at Herne Bay Junior School. One of the few suggestions was a marina. Trust treasurer Jason Hollingsworth told the gathering of more than 100 members:

"The original pier, almost a mile long, was built to accommodate steamships. Any replacement must have an economic purpose and be able to provide a long-term revenue stream for the future. A deep water marina is one possibility, but everything is being considered and nothing has been ruled out."

But the marina idea held little water for businesswoman Carol Chance. The health and safety consultant admitted:

"I am a little disappointed, frankly. What's the vision? I'm astounded that there are still only 400 members of the Trust."

She rejected the idea of a marina saying the town could not accommodate larger yachts. Even city council leader John Gilbey admitted:

"Marinas are not famous for making money. And you only have to stand on the end of the current pier to see how shallow the water is. The pier trust is taking exactly the right, methodical approach for the future. We'll see what happens."

The meeting started with a slick video explaining the importance of the pier to the town. Regeneration of the pier is expected to come in two stages. The first will be finding things for the "pier stub" which will be left after the pavilion is knocked down. Heron Conservative councillor Joe Howes said:

"We could have dancing. The town is full of dance schools. We could also pitch a Big Top circus tent there with a Ferris wheel, helter-skelter and stage 'birdman' competitions. This could be a vintage, retro pier with a farmers' market."

The trust is still raising money to carry out another feasibility study and has £15,000 in the bank. Accountant Mr Hollingsworth stressed:

"We don't want to present a half-baked cake and then have it collapse!"

Trustee and original founder Andy Newell said:

"There are a range of funds available. We are hoping to get rent from the windfarm from the Crown Estates. There are EU regeneration funds available. But first we need a very clear business plan and that's what we're working on."

thisiskent 19th Sep 2011

'New regime' clashes with Pier Trust

Museum bosses tore down a poster promoting Herne Bay Pier Trust, despite the fact that the latest exhibition is dedicated to the iconic seaside structure. Despite protests from staff at the William Street museum, managers insisted the poster had to be removed because it did not fit in with the council's corporate branding.

Pier trust members who complained were told the poster had been put in the wrong place. Trust chairman Julian Jennings said:

"It's bureaucracy gone mad. I don't think the staff knew there was a right and wrong place for posters, so they were not happy when it was taken down. But it's now been put up in the right place, so we hope everyone is happy."

The row is the latest in a series of grumbles since the museum shop was taken over by the council's visitor services team in a bid to make more money. Staff now wear Canterbury-branded uniforms, and city-branded leaflets are on display around the museum. Visitors who do not have a residents' card issued by the council must also pay to enter the exhibitions, after a review initially recommended shutting the museum.

David Cross, secretary of the Friends of the Museum, said:

"There is a completely new regime in charge of the museum and they are still trying things out. They are aware they will get things wrong, and have done so, and we the Friends are concerned about that. But we are confident we will arrive together at the right conclusion."

Council spokesman Steve James added:

"We've always been very supportive of the Pier Trust and its work in the community, and only removed the posters from the Herne Bay Museum as part of a general tidy-up of the building entrance. But after being contacted by a trust member, we agreed to put the posters back, and these posters will complement trust leaflets which are always on display. No offence was intended, and we hope that we can continue to display trust posters in a co-ordinated manner. We're proud that Herne Bay Museum and Gallery forms an integral part of the community, and we always respond positively to feedback supplied by local residents."

HB Times 15th Jul 2011

Asbestos work adds £¼m to Pier costs

The cost of demolishing the Herne Bay pier pavilion has risen dramatically because much higher quantities of asbestos than expected have been discovered in the building. The city council had originally budgeted £425,000 but the latest structural survey has revealed the full extent of extra work needed.

Now the lowest acceptable tender from a specialist demolition company is nearly £668,000 - £243,000 more than expected. The new figures were revealed to members of the council executive on Thursday which agreed to fund the extra cost. Cllr Peter Vickery-Jones said:

"This is a huge increase but there is no alternative. We have to find the money because we can't leave the building as it is."

Cllr Peter Lee added:

"The pier is a key part of Herne Bay's regeneration and investment in the town. But it will enable its replacement with something more for tourists which will provide an income for the Pier Trust."

Pier Trust chairman Julian Jennings told the executive he hoped there would not be any delays because it wanted the pier platform to be available for summer activities in 2012.

The contract is now expected to last 24 weeks and work is expected to start in the autumn when the sports facilities, currently housed in the pavilion, are transferred to a new sports centre at Herne Bay High School.

HB Gazette 23rd Jun 2011

Pavilion demolition will now take longer

Council bosses will have to pay an extra £218,000 to knock down Herne Bay's dilapidated pier pavilion after deadly asbestos was found in the building. Contractors surveying the aging sports centre – due to be demolished because it is too expensive to maintain – made the bombshell discovery last month. It was revealed to the city council's ruling executive committee on Thursday, and Pier Trust chairman Julian Jennings told councillors the group was concerned the discovery could lead to delays. He said:

"It could affect our 2012 summer programme when the whole country is celebrating the Olympics and the Queen's golden jubilee. The pier should be offering a programme of events that appeal both to residents and visitors and reflect these celebrations. If the opportunity is lost because of delays it would not reflect well on the town."

But officials said they were confident the work would finish in time, and stressed how important it was to the town. The historic pier was first built in 1831 and has been rebuilt twice since them. In 1978 a severe storm demolished part of it, leaving the pier head stranded at sea. Herne and Broomfield councillor Peter Vickery-Jones said officials would select the best contractor for the job rather than the cheapest. He added:

"It is a huge increase but we have no option. It needs to be done properly. It is not an option to leave the building as it is. We need to find the money and we should get on and do it."

West Bay councillor Peter Lee said the project would remain a priority, despite the increasing cost.

"To refurbish the building or rebuild it elsewhere would have cost £3.5 million. That is about the same as we have spent on Herons and Herne Bay High School."

The building is due to be cleared in September and demolition work will start in October.

Budget Limits

HB Times 14th Oct 2010

Community space

HB Times 14th Oct 2010

The future of the Pier

HB Times 14th Oct 2010

The ninth iffiest Pier?

Herne Bay pier is among 10 across England and Wales that have been identified as being at serious risk of demolition or collapse. The report from the National Piers Society, placed the town's iconic structure at number nine in a top 10 which also includes Hastings and Brighton West piers in neighbouring East Sussex. But staunch defenders of Herne Bay Pier's future have dismissed the survey as pure conjecture. Graham Cooper, chairman of the Herne Bay Pier Trust, said:

"There's absolutely no scientific basis for this. It's purely based on public opinion and we or the city council have not been contacted to ask what we think. The pier structure itself is not at risk of decay or collapse but, of course, the pier head is. The Pier Trust is here to make plans for regeneration and to look at ways of changing it for the future. Canterbury City Council have already engaged consultants to look into future uses."

The National Piers Society believe this week's list illustrates the continued decline of the landmarks across England and Wales. A total of 101 piers were all built between 1814 and 1957 and now just over half of those remain, with 10 closed to the public. Society spokesman Anthony Wills feels the future is mixed. He said:

"It depends on whether piers can rebrand themselves and on what kind of state they've got into. Most important is whether or not the owners, be they private or the local authority, are continually investing and maintaining the structure, rather than just looking at the money-making aspects above the decking."

Hopes are high for Herne Bay pier's future, with Mr Cooper confident it can survive after the relocation of the Pier Pavilion sports centre next year. He added:

"This survey hasn't really taken any context into account. Herne Bay pier is in council hands, not private ownership and if the will is there, which it is, then something can be done. There's 100 per cent commitment from both the trust and the city council to improve the structure for future generations."

Kentish Gazette 2nd Sep 2009