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| Debate over 'deteriorating' pier | Debate over 'deteriorating' pier |
| (about 12 hours later) | |
| A packed public meeting discussed the future of Colwyn Bay's "deteriorating" Victorian pier. | |
| The Grade II-listed pier opened in 1900 but it needs plenty of restoration work to return it to its best condition. | The Grade II-listed pier opened in 1900 but it needs plenty of restoration work to return it to its best condition. |
| There was an overwhelming show of hands in favour of renovating the pier at the meeting on Friday night. | |
| Clwyd West MP David Jones said the message from the meeting was that people were looking to Conwy council for leadership. | |
| He had said before the meeting that people needed to decide if they wanted to save the pier or see it demolished. | |
| "The proposals for the regeneration of Colwyn Bay's waterfront cannot realistically go ahead without incorporating the pier," he said. | |
| Mr Jones has said the "progressively deteriorating" state of the Victorian pier was "a huge cause of concern" to most residents. | Mr Jones has said the "progressively deteriorating" state of the Victorian pier was "a huge cause of concern" to most residents. |
| "The questions that need to be considered, therefore, are whether the pier should be renovated and, if so, how? Where will the money come from? | "The questions that need to be considered, therefore, are whether the pier should be renovated and, if so, how? Where will the money come from? |
| Coastal defences | Coastal defences |
| "Alternatively, should consideration be given, as many people suggest, to demolishing it altogether? | "Alternatively, should consideration be given, as many people suggest, to demolishing it altogether? |
| "The purpose of the meeting will be to take the temperature of opinion within the town on this important matter." | "The purpose of the meeting will be to take the temperature of opinion within the town on this important matter." |
| The pier once attracted entertainers such as Morecambe and Wise, Ken Dodd and Harry Secombe, while rock stars Motorhead, Elvis Costello and Slade also appeared there. | The pier once attracted entertainers such as Morecambe and Wise, Ken Dodd and Harry Secombe, while rock stars Motorhead, Elvis Costello and Slade also appeared there. |
| In the summer there used to be a resident orchestra and leading political figures also spoke there. | In the summer there used to be a resident orchestra and leading political figures also spoke there. |
| Previous owners had hoped to transform it into a casino and tourist attraction and tried to sell it in an internet auction. | Previous owners had hoped to transform it into a casino and tourist attraction and tried to sell it in an internet auction. |
| The pier's most recent owner, who worked for more than five years to restore it, was declared bankrupt in 2008 after a row over business rates and council tax. | The pier's most recent owner, who worked for more than five years to restore it, was declared bankrupt in 2008 after a row over business rates and council tax. |
| It is currently in the hands of receivers. | It is currently in the hands of receivers. |
| Last May it was announced that Colwyn Bay would be among a number of areas across north Wales to benefit from £38m of investment, with the improvements in the town focusing on the sea front. | Last May it was announced that Colwyn Bay would be among a number of areas across north Wales to benefit from £38m of investment, with the improvements in the town focusing on the sea front. |
| In August a further £20m was unveiled for regeneration by the Welsh Assembly Government in Colwyn Bay and Rhyl. | In August a further £20m was unveiled for regeneration by the Welsh Assembly Government in Colwyn Bay and Rhyl. |
| Conwy council's Bay Life scheme includes plans for coastal defences, a centre of sporting excellence and relocating council offices to the town centre. | Conwy council's Bay Life scheme includes plans for coastal defences, a centre of sporting excellence and relocating council offices to the town centre. |
| The public meeting was at the council chamber in Colwyn Bay. |