Hastings Pier History, carrying on where we left off–

1900. Pier Problems From the Hastings News of 16/05/1901 The annual meeting of the Hastings Pier Company took place on 13 May was a heated affair. The company was not doing well and many shareholders were unhappy, voting against the chairman’s report. They felt the increased spending on band and entertainments was unwarranted, and it could be better if the pier went back to the old form of less expensive entertainment.

1900. Pier Fire From the Hastings News of 20/07/1900 There was an outbreak of fire on Hastings Pier during a concert on Sunday 15 July. The fire was put out promptly, though flames were seen from White Rock Parade

1904. Pier AGM: Good and Bad From the Hastings Mail of 28/05/1904 The AGM of the Hastings Pier Company was held in the Pier Pavilion. The directors were John Reeves, ST Weston JP, Dr GG Gray JP and WE Brown, with secretary LT Weston. There was much criticism from shareholders. Reeves said 1889-92 were the four most prosperous years they ever had.

1909. Pier Company’s Poor Results From the Hastings Mail of 24/04/1909 The AGM of the Hastings Pier Company on 21 April heard there was decreased profit and no dividend. A future plan was for a pavilion at the shore end. The directors were criticised.

1910: A small building is built on the deck at a cost of £2,500 to house a shooting gallery, animated pictures and additional amusements.

1910. A bowling alley was built on the Pier and a Joy wheel installed.

1912. A rifle saloon was built on the Pier

1913:  The shore-end section of the pier known as the 'Parade Extension' is sold to the Hastings Corporation for £7,000.

1913. The entrance to the pier was purchased and a new bandstand and shelter was to be built, to house 1,000 people under cover and 2,000 in the open air.

1913. The open deck was closed in and a bandstand and shelters were added.

1914 Sept- Hastings Council bought a quarter of Hastings Pier (the 220 feet nearest the land) and rebuilt it as a 220-feet square extension of the promenade. A bandstand and two curving large shelters were erected (the shelters are still there) and the extension was officially opened on April 19 1916.

1914. The Joywheel was removed

1915:  Proceeds from the sale are used to pay for new buildings at the shore-end, south of the extension, to contain an arcade, shops, tea room etc. The aim is to provide shelter all the way along the pier from the tollhouse to the sea-end pavilion.

1916. The new bandstand was built.(Visitors were later to complain of having to look at sick people on the hospital balcony nearby, whilst listening to the band.)

1917: July 15- A great fire destroyed the pavilion at the seaward end of Hastings Pier. The blaze was thought to have been caused by one of the Canadian soldiers stationed in the town discarding a cigarette. Much of the pier was damaged.

1920- A motorboat became a summer attraction on the pier.

1922: A new pavilion is opened. The central section of the pier is enlarged from 45ft to 80ft.

1922 the pavilion was rebuilt, it attracted lots of criticism and was compared with an aircraft hanger.

1922 . A replacement structure was built in with a less elaborate ballroom style structure at the end of the pier.

1925/6 - The landward end of Hastings Pier was rebuilt in a much extended form.

1928: The pier is modernised.

1930: Early 1930's the shore-end pavilion is reconstructed with a new frontage and is described as "an elegant and perfect example of the 'art deco' style of architecture and fashionable". The interior of the pavilion becomes an intimate theatre.

1930's. In the mid 30's a searchlight was attached to the pier to provide light and midnight swimming it was very popular with the youngsters.

1930's. In the 1930's stunt divers performed on the hour. They would dive into the sea from the top deck, tied up and fastened in sacks. They would sink into the sea and reappear later free from the sacks. The crowds loved it!

1936: Magistrates approve plans for improving #Hastings Pier.

1938: Storm damage to sea-end, and loss of sea-bed, results in repair costs of £22,000. Business is severely affected by the necessary closure.

1938 . Considerable storm damage was done to the sea-end of the pier and resulted in repairs of over £22,000.