This week’s Local Hero (The Argus)

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/11322113.Man_honoured_for_heading_pier_regeneration_project/

Man honoured for heading pier regeneration project

A PUBLIC servant who spearheaded a campaign to save a historic pier is this week’s local hero.

Simon Hubbard, director of regeneration at Hastings Borough Council, went above and beyond to support his community in helping to save Hastings Pier.

As well as being named an Argus Local Hero, Simon has made a “local authority hero” by Locality, a network of community-led organisations.

Simon received his ‘local authority hero’ award at a ceremony in central London on 30 June.

Jess Steele, of the White Rock Trust, who nominated Simon for the Locality award, said: “Simon was enormously helpful in the battle to save Hastings Pier.

“Once we persuaded him (and eventually the whole council) of the potential, they became an active partner.

“Simon steered us through rocky waters to achieve the compulsory purchase order and convinced both local authorities to strengthen our Heritage Lottery Fund application by underwriting the funding gap.