Eastbourne is to receive up to £2m to help the town’s tourism industry recover from the blaze that damaged the resort’s pier on Wednesday.
Prime minister David Cameron said: ‘I know that the loss of one of Eastbourne’s most prominent and well-loved landmarks will have hit the town hard and I am determined to do all I can to help local businesses recover.’
Chancellor George Osborne added that the Government would work with Eastbourne ‘as a matter of urgency’ to ensure that funding was provided without delay.
‘Eastbourne Pier is a much loved local attraction and this fire is devastating news. I am therefore delighted to be able to provide financial support so we can minimise the effect on business and tourism,’ Osborune said.
Eastbourne’s Victorian pier was built in the 1870s, and includes gift shops, bars and restaurants. The main roof was completely destroyed in the blaze.
Image: Copyright Jean-Francois Phillips
