Worthing Pier may not reopen until late November

Worthing Pier could remain closed until "late November", according to one business owner.

The pier was closed on 10 October after a routine inspection by engineers found that one of the underside supports was storm damaged.

Alex Coombs, whose Perch on the Pier restaurant is one of several businesses located on the pier, told BBC Radio Sussex: "We were notified on Wednesday by the council about further damage to the structure and the temporary solution they had won't be sufficient to return the pier back to a full state of opening."

A Worthing Borough Council spokesperson said: "Worthing Pier is a unique, historic attraction and we’re working closely with specialist engineers to reopen it as soon as we can."

The Tern, another restaurant based on the pier, has temporarily relocated to Littlehampton.

Meanwhile, watercraft including boats and paddleboards have also been prohibited from going under the pier until the work is carried out.

Mr Coombs said his restaurant is facing a significant impact: "We are likely going to have to reduce our team size and it will have a fairly radical affect for the next six months.

"When we can re-open on the pier, we won't be open as often so we can rebuild again."

He said a potential six week closure is "way beyond our contingency plan budget".

The council spokesperson said that repair works were set to begin on Tuesday, but their suppliers were unable to get replacement parts at short notice.

The next set of low spring tides does not begin until 14 November, which is the earliest repairs can begin.

They added: "We recognise the disruption the closure is causing to businesses and visitors but would stress that keeping people safe has to be our priority."

The annual firework display at the end of the pier on 5 November is still scheduled to take place.

The pier was opened to the public in April 1862.

Now a Grade II-listed structure, it was named UK Pier of the Year in 2019.

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