Traders on Hastings Pier fear their livelihoods are in jeopardy after the tourist attraction was closed when it was deemed unsafe.

Debris fell on to the beach from the pier, which reopened five years ago after a renovation, and was closed after a structural survey. Lisa-Marie Harrity spoke to traders who said they were given no warning of the closure and fear for the future of their businesses.

Warning signs have been put up on Hastings Pier telling people not to walk underneath after the structure was deemed dangerous and part of it was suddenly closed.

The decision was a shock to traders who say their businesses could go under as they prepared for their busiest tourist season at the height of summer.

They also fear the closure of the remaining horseshoe section by the weekend which has caused a panic and an agonising wait for the last few businesses.

The 130-year-old structure was closed on Friday when Hastings Borough Council discovered it was in danger of imminent collapse.

They feared a concert planned for the following evening would be too dangerous so they put up a nine foot fence at the beginning of the pier, separating it from the horseshoe section on the seafront. About 20 businesses are inside the now closed part with a security guard at the fence.

Traders said they had no warning until council officials appeared at the pier at 4pm and put up the fence, telling them to leave with all their goods.

Tim Crammer, who owns a unique video-gaming shop called Vidojo in the closed section of the pier, said: "I am shell shocked. All the tenants are in the same boat. I am also seeking legal advice. Apparently the management company have known for six months so why has it come to this?"

Jenny Watson has two children and owns BJ's On The Beach cafe with her husband and just took over the food franchise for Deluxe Bingo Club in the closed part.

Her cafe is in the horseshoe section and she found out yesterday the management company might close it at the end of the week.

She said: "There are about 30 businesses here being affected by this.

"Some businesses have already had to let their staff go. I want to know about the pier owner's contingency plan.

"We have been kept in the dark but this is our livelihood."

The closure comes four weeks after large chunks of metal fell from the structure and health and safety bosses put up warning signs and ordered a full structural survey.

At the time, the council told the management company repairs had to be done and they had two months to carry out the survey.

But when bookings were still being taken for events such as The Kooks in concert in August, the council commissioned consulting engineers to look at a specific area of concern under the main covered walkway around the entrance.

The inspection was carried out on Thursday and at least five trusses failed and the consultant declared it unsafe for large numbers of people.

The council used its emergency powers to immediately close most of the pier and is applying for a formal order at Hastings Magistrates Court tomorrow.

Kevin Boorman of Hastings Council said: "The Council has been talking to the owners for some time now about the structure of the Pier.

"The council is very disappointed it has had to take this action but clearly public safety must come first."

Like many seaside towns, Hastings thrives in the summer and one of the biggest attractions is the pier.

The attraction entices visitors with its horseshoe-shaped entrance, lined with cafes, a bar and other more traditional establishments like a doughnut and ice cream shop.

The stretch of the pier is home to a bingo hall, boutiques, an unique video-game shop and a popular live-music venue.

But after 130 years Hastings Borough Council used its emergency powers and closed the stretch part on Friday when it failed a structural survey and was declared in danger of imminent collapse.

During the weekend the traders were "shell shocked", waiting for news.

But it was not until a meeting yesterday afternoon, organised by Hastings Borough Council, they learnt what was being proposed.

They were upset with the council for closing the pier and not spending any money on it despite the multi million pound regeneration plan for the town.

But on Monday, tenants heard the pier's commercial manager, Harmesh Pooni, say it might be necessary to close the remaining horseshoe section.

The pier has been owned by management company Raven Claw Investments Inc for the past six months and Mr Pooni is their representative.

He said: "I found out about the pier closing from the tenants. We were planning to have some events on July 1 and 8 but the council's survey revealed it might not be safe to do so.

"We said if that was the case we would cancel the events without hesitation.

"Apparently another event was planned for June 17 and the organiser refused to cancel so the council closed the pier.

"I think they were too hasty. If the council had told me a tenant was not co-operating we could have closed the one establishment, not the whole pier.

"We knew work had to be done but we didn't think the council would do this. We feel the pier has a future and we will be here for that.

"There are issues to address and we may have to take a step back before stepping forward but that depends on the council and their strategy.

"If the pier had to be closed and we had to redevelop it, it would cost between £1.5 million and £2 million."

Mr Pooni revealed the company's plans for the pier could include de-listing it and building a casino, which thrilled the tenants until they realised the plans did not include them.

He also admitted "taking a step back" means closing the whole pier until a later date.

Mr Crammer said: "My business is my baby and they have turned the incubator off. We didn't know there was anything wrong with the pier. Nobody ever told us.

"This is costing us everything especially at this time of year. I am shell shocked, disappointed and depressed."

Geoff Howard, chairman of the Pier Tenants Association, said: "We are trying to find some middle ground to keep the pier open. All these traders have been affected with mortgages and bills and the council need to take that into account.

"About £400 million of regeneration money has passed through this town and the pier hasn't received a penny. They have taken extreme action."

The pier was thought to be in a good condition since it was renovated only five years ago when millionaire Ian Stuart bought it.

But when chunks of metal fell off last month the council told the management company to carry out a full structural survey.

When they realised big events were being booked on the pier and repairs not carried out they ordered their own survey.

The results showed at least five trusses failed in the area tested and the consultant said it was unsafe to allow large numbers of people on to the pier.

Mr Boorman said: "The council became aware major events were still being booked for the Pier ballroom.

"As a result of its concerns over the pier structure the council commissioned consulting engineers Gifford of Southampton to look at a specific area of concern under the main covered walkway around the main entrance.

"This area provides the only method of access on to and off the Pier.

"Any emergency affecting the rest of the pier, including the ballroom, requiring evacuation would mean people walking over the area that we have been advised is unsafe.

"As a result, the council had no option other than to use its emergency powers to close much of the pier immediately."

The stability of the pier will be reviewed in two months.