• Hastings was one of 14 piers built by master pier engineer Eugenius Birch (1818-94) and opened in 1872.
• A true pleasure pier devoted to entertainment, 24,000 visitors paid 2d to stroll along it during its first week. The Oriental-style pavilion put on music-hall shows featuring Marie Lloyd among others and attractions included open-air dancing and animated pictures.
• All this ceased during the Second World War when the army took over the pier and a big chunk of it was removed to prevent enemy landings.