Hastings Pier: Fears of closure after businesses goes into liquidation

Lion Hastings Ltd, the pier's owner, was wound up voluntarily in August and officially filed for liquidation in September.

Filings from the company, owned by Sheikh Abid Gulzar, show that the company had just £5,000 available to creditors while owing over £300,000.

Estimated total deficiencies for the company totalled £308,282.

The largest sum of money owed, nearly £100,000, is owed to Sheikh Gulzar himself. Other creditors include Hastings Borough Council who are owed over £30,000.

MOST READ:

• Teenager stabbed to death in city centre - murder investigation launched

• Furious beach hut owners prepare to fight council again

• Residents' anger as temporary coach stop is causing sleepless nights
  To have access to all of our best stories take advantage of our sale and subscribe to The Argus for £5 for five months here

A council spokeswoman said: “Hastings Pier is an important asset for our town. We are aware that residents and visitors are concerned about it following the recent news about its owning company going into administration.

Sheikh Gulzar at Eastbourne Pier

“We are following these updates, particularly as the council is a creditor, but the Pier is privately owned so there are limits to what action the council can take.”

Friends of Hastings Pier, a community group seeking to save the pier, said they were “watching for any developments”.

Hastings Pier was bought by Sheikh Gulzar in 2018 and he also owns Eastbourne Pier.

Gulzar most recently said that he wants to buy the Grade II listed Eastbourne Grandstand.