With a grant of £11.4 million the HLF will provide the lion’s share of the £13.9 million needed to deliver the project. It is a great day for the people of Hastings and tremendous reward for the hard work and determination of all those who would not allow the pier to be abandoned.

Simon Opie, Chief Executive of HPWRT, said: "This is a brilliant decision by the Heritage Lottery Fund for the future of the pier and the future of Hastings. The committed support of everyone involved has been crucial to this success and the trust is indebted to a great many people and organisations, whose support we will continue to rely on as the project moves to its next, exciting phase. We now need to move quickly to put everything into place to enable us to start work on the pier in spring next year and we very much look forward to having the pier reopened by the end of 2014."

Carole Souter, Chief Executive of HLF, said: “Hastings Pier has lived through over 150 years of history – from gentler Victorian times through to the Swinging Sixties and beyond. We’re delighted to be backing these ambitious restoration plans which will not only save the fabric of the pier but also put it right back at the heart of the community, providing much-needed opportunities for social and economic regeneration.”

Jo Brand, comedian, writer and actress, said:  “Hastings Pier was where I spent a great deal of time as a teenager and it was the gathering point for a whole generation looking to see bands and dance the night away. So, I suppose it's no surprise that I view it with enormous affection. I was gutted when the pier was gutted and it’s really great news that the Heritage Lottery Fund is awarding such a substantial sum of money to help with restoration work. I can’t wait to see the new pier rise out of the ashes in the next couple of years. Hooray!”

Further information

Katie Owen, HLF press office on 020 7591 6036 or 07973 613 820.

Simon Opie, Chief Executive of Hastings Pier and White Rock Trust on 07980 984 595 or 01424 435 587.