Nick Gibb met Bognor Pier Trust committee members again to find out more about the work being undertaken to restore and protect the 1865 Bognor Regis pier.
The Trust that has been working closely with the Pier owner, John Ayers, to devise a plan and procure funding to prevent any further damage to the Pier's structure before restoring it to its former glory. The vision is to make the Pier "one of the outstanding visitor attractions in the South East".
Last year the cause received a boost as the Government's Coastal Revival Fund awarded £50,000 to help create a new Heritage Quarter in the Old Town. This cash grant of £50,000 will be split between the Old Town Working Group and Bognor Regis Pier Trust to begin works on the Grade II listed Pier.
Members of the Trust are now working hard to prepare a bid for £5m from the Heritage Enterprise Lottery Fund to cover the entire cost of the project. They will also be hosting events throughout 2016 to educate people about the Pier and their plans, as well as to encourage them to become 'Friends' of the campaign. Their latest event saw membership rise to 721 to move closer to their target of 1000.
Nick Gibb said: "The committee that has been established is superbly equipped to take this project forward. Between them they have experience in business development and estate management as well as the ability to put together the necessary bids. The research and plans that have been developed and the clear support of the community for this project fill me with optimism that these plans will work and that one day we will see our wonderful pier restored to some of its former glory."
Pictured from left: Ken Blamires, Paul Vanzeebroeck, Paul Wells (chairman), Nick Gibb, Jan Malpass