Hastings Pier traders have won another injunction to keep the horseshoe section of the structure open.

Following a temporary injunction awarded on July 14, the shop tenants had to return to the High Court on Friday for a full hearing at The Royal Courts of Justice.

Again the traders, represented by Gaby Hardwicke Solicitors, were successful as the court decided to continue the injunction up to the final trial.

The traders sought legal advice after pier owners Ravenclaw Investments announced they would close the entire pier on July 16.

Ravenclaw said they were left with no choice as the council had closed the main section due to safety reasons, effectively closing 75 per cent of their business, and they could not afford to run their business in such a reduced state.

Hastings Borough Council closed the main section of the pier using their emergency powers on June 16 after a structural survey on a small section they commissioned revealed five failed trusses and columns three quarters worn through.

On Friday, the deputy high court judge was not persuaded by the submission made by Harmesh Pooni, who appeared on behalf of Ravenclaw. Paul Maynard, a Partner in Gaby Hardwicke's Commercial Dept, said: "This should now provide a welcome breathing space for the traders at the front of the pier."

No trial date has been set yet but the civil case is expected to take place early next year.

Mr Pooni said: "It was a fifty/fifty scenario in court. I didn't believe the judge would overturn the injunction from the week before but he also didn't award costs and damages against us, which the traders were claiming to a sum of £50,000. The judge dismissed that. Everyone is out of pocket and we are no further along.

"I never wanted to close the pier and tried to help the traders but they have taken legal action funded by a third party. I don't blame them. They are fighting for their lives.

"But they are now 21 days in arrears on their quarterly rent payments and the electricity which we pay and claim back from the tenants is now four months overdue. The court said I could take action to evict the tenants because they are in breach of their leases but I don't want to do that. I don't want to spend time fighting tenants."