Today is the 150th anniversary of the opening of the West Pier. The Argus wishes to celebrate that fact.

The pier has looked considerably different in its time, from its minimalist start to the pomp of its middle age to its minimalist end.

It remains one of the most visited, photographed, iconic structures in Brighton.

Decay is its beauty, the hint of past glories and its slow defiant death adding to the mix that brings tourists and locals alike to stop and stare.

It draws the gaze more than any other structure on the seafront even the Brighton Palace Pier and the i360.

Yet looking back through the archives from the time of the two suspicious blazes that put paid to any chance of a return to its former life what comes across is a strange official indifference.

The investigation into the arson appears from a distance of years to be hardly full throttle and even now most in positions of power do not see what the rest of us do.

Which is that the ruin is worthy of debate, of being lit up, turned into a work of art, that discussions about how to save it for as long as possible should be had.

The West Pier Trust still talks about building another structure. We have strong doubts this will ever happen or even if it is wise.

What it should do today, on the pier’s birthday, is lead the debate about what we do with this jewel in the seafront crown.