The West Pier public exhibition was a real eye-opener. What a great design. The modern pavilions will provide a pleasing contrast with the ornate splendour of the pier and we will have some wonderful cafes and restaurants from which to admire it. To have more amenities such as this will complement the improvements made to the lower esplanade by Brighton and Hove City Council in recent years.

I have been surprised and disappointed the proposals have received so much criticism in these columns. You would expect a city as young and vibrant as Brighton and Hove to attract people with more progressive ideas.

It is clear the West Pier can only be restored to its former glory and maintained in the future with a supporting development of this scale. I strongly believe it is worth saving. The representatives from St Modwen and KSS Architects were so enthusiastic about the project at the public exhibition that I am sure it will be a great success.

-Christine Dawson, Graham Avenue, Brighton