So many memories of this place. It's the last time I saw my father, in the cafe. Not particularly fond memories of that, but it certainly sticks in your mind. I also had some of the best nights out ever on there. Still makes me sad that those scumbags torched it. Nice to see it rebuilt, but it's just not the same. I'll never forget some of the times I had on there.
I used to go to Mod do's at the end of the pier circa 1979, travelling up from Essex, my family have always live in Hastings, my Aunt and cousins are there now along with my Sister, so I've always been on the pier. I work in Southend - worlds longest pier - that too burnt down 2 or 3 times now. If I ever go anywhere there's a pier I'm drawn to them - same with jetties and harbour walls, but I've always felt at odds with how they always feel dated and passed it, at odds with the time Our piers have a sense of the 1950's and Teddy boys and Elvis Presley, bleak times in Britain, but today hearing the pier has won the RIBA Stirling prize for architecture is fantastic news and it looks amazing, can't wait to go down that way, I'll certainly be a visitor.
My grandad used to ride his motorbike down from London to dances on the pier before the war. I used to go over from Shoreham to raves through the 90s, I met some friends for life in that ballroom. I wish it was still there so I could walk down it and have a good old reminisce and cuppa in the cafe when I’m an old man. The feeling of anticipation and excitement walking down the pier to that ballroom for a rave was brilliant!
The kids that did it were obviously too young n Neva experienced the pier I had sum of the best nites raving to dnb with all the greatest djs n mcs now there will Neva b raves like it in Hastings so they ruined it 4 themselves n every1 else if only they knew wot it was like in my opinion the best raving venue in the south by far
Once it was a great pier and I had great times as a nipper in the 70s/80s and early 90s getting everso slightly drunk. Today you have what resembles some decking with a few potting sheds.
In one way the fire did the pier a favour. The substructure was so badly rot that it would have end up being closed for years whist English heritage argued about every bolt until it fell into ruin like the west pier in Brighton. And all credit to the town for such a great effort to save it (I helped too!). but ultimately the "arty" people got too imbedded and the resultant repair was a pier that just would never make money. I applaud the guy who has bought it as he is genuinely trying to run it as a business (which it is) so he can maintain it but without permanent buildings like a ball room and arcades it is never going to "function" as a business and especially for the town. When I win big on the lottery I will buy it, build a ball room etc and then put it into trust for the town so any profits get ploughed back into it.
A shame it was destroyed and even worse now as its "restored" even though it's now a very boring pier and nowhere near as godd as palace and eastbourne
The pier is now an empty canvas, a lot can be done with it, it’s a shame all the old buildings were destroyed however non of them were there when the pier first opened in 1872. The structure Beneath is the oldest part and is what remains today.
I remember in 2004 there was a little computer shop in there and I bought a cheap secondhand laptop from them, which lasted years. Now if is just a wooden walkway with barely anything on it - as bland and boring as Starmer - and just as wooden.
So many memories of this place. It's the last time I saw my father, in the cafe. Not particularly fond memories of that, but it certainly sticks in your mind.
I also had some of the best nights out ever on there.
Still makes me sad that those scumbags torched it. Nice to see it rebuilt, but it's just not the same.
I'll never forget some of the times I had on there.
I used to go to Mod do's at the end of the pier circa 1979, travelling up from Essex, my family have always live in Hastings, my Aunt and cousins are there now along with my Sister, so I've always been on the pier. I work in Southend - worlds longest pier - that too burnt down 2 or 3 times now. If I ever go anywhere there's a pier I'm drawn to them - same with jetties and harbour walls, but I've always felt at odds with how they always feel dated and passed it, at odds with the time Our piers have a sense of the 1950's and Teddy boys and Elvis Presley, bleak times in Britain, but today hearing the pier has won the RIBA Stirling prize for architecture is fantastic news and it looks amazing, can't wait to go down that way, I'll certainly be a visitor.
My grandad used to ride his motorbike down from London to dances on the pier before the war. I used to go over from Shoreham to raves through the 90s, I met some friends for life in that ballroom. I wish it was still there so I could walk down it and have a good old reminisce and cuppa in the cafe when I’m an old man. The feeling of anticipation and excitement walking down the pier to that ballroom for a rave was brilliant!
I wish the old pier still existed.
Same even tho I've long since moved away from Hastings, still great memories. :(
I went to hastings pier alot on holiday in the 2000s as a kid and loved it!
Thanks so much for posting!
Is the ballroom still there? If not when did it close?
Excellent video - nice to have a record of how it was. Hopefully there are still good days to come for the pier.
how did you get in to that place
I remember when my uncle used to work at the bar and I would go with my Nan to visit him during the day time, oh to be 5 again
some days before burning?
The kids that did it were obviously too young n Neva experienced the pier I had sum of the best nites raving to dnb with all the greatest djs n mcs now there will Neva b raves like it in Hastings so they ruined it 4 themselves n every1 else if only they knew wot it was like in my opinion the best raving venue in the south by far
How an earth can it be rebuilt? I don't mean to sound negative but we can't even light up Hastings fountain!
i remember many a good night [and also days] spent on the pier
Once it was a great pier and I had great times as a nipper in the 70s/80s and early 90s getting everso slightly drunk. Today you have what resembles some decking with a few potting sheds.
I saw some great bands, the who in 1967, the equals , pp arnold, all niters.
I worked on pier 1970s calling bingo mans amusement weekend work happy memories used see all bands coming on pier Saturday night 😊
Had some good evenings there and under it too, olga :)
i remember i was there in far 92 for english course , great memories
So sad. This was the "go-to" for generations of teens.
As dilapidated as it is in this footage, I'd argue it had far more potential then, than it does now. Such a shame.
In one way the fire did the pier a favour. The substructure was so badly rot that it would have end up being closed for years whist English heritage argued about every bolt until it fell into ruin like the west pier in Brighton. And all credit to the town for such a great effort to save it (I helped too!). but ultimately the "arty" people got too imbedded and the resultant repair was a pier that just would never make money. I applaud the guy who has bought it as he is genuinely trying to run it as a business (which it is) so he can maintain it but without permanent buildings like a ball room and arcades it is never going to "function" as a business and especially for the town. When I win big on the lottery I will buy it, build a ball room etc and then put it into trust for the town so any profits get ploughed back into it.
A shame it was destroyed and even worse now as its "restored" even though it's now a very boring pier and nowhere near as godd as palace and eastbourne
The pier is now an empty canvas, a lot can be done with it, it’s a shame all the old buildings were destroyed however non of them were there when the pier first opened in 1872. The structure Beneath is the oldest part and is what remains today.
I remember in 2004 there was a little computer shop in there and I bought a cheap secondhand laptop from them, which lasted years. Now if is just a wooden walkway with barely anything on it - as bland and boring as Starmer - and just as wooden.