text: This financial uplift enabled the majority of the pier to reopen on 4 July 2007.However,on 12 March 2008 the Hastings Observer reported to concerned locals how storm damage had caused considerable damage and that two support columns were in imminent danger of collapse.Fortunately stronger barriers restricting public access to the damaged areas were put in place and patch up repairs to the bracing prevented any disaster from occuring.Nevertheless,to date the whole of the pier now remains closed once more due to the re-occuring technical issues and its long-term future is still uncertain whilst public safety continues to be the key issue.