Hastings Pier will undergo a £14m restoration after the 140-year-old structure was almost completely destroyed by fire in 2010.

The Hasting Pier Charity formally took ownership of the derelict pier following a Compulsory Purchase Order issued by Hastings Borough Council, forcing ownership from Panamanian company, Ravenclaw, after it failed to carry out repair work.

Renovation work is due to start later this month. It will include a refurbishment of the pier’s Grade II listed substructure, refurbishment of the only Pavilion still standing and construction of a new visitor centre, which will also serve as an archive and display area, showcasing the pier’s local heritage.

The majority of the £14m investment came from the Heritage Lottery Fund, with significant amounts also coming from the Costal Communities Fund, Community Assets Fund, Hastings Borough Council and East Sussex County Council.

Simon Opie, Hasting Pier Charity CEO, said: “We’ll provide open space not just for promenading, but for family and community celebrations; a real attraction for tourists and a valuable asset for locals and the town.”