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HTR Building Services, which worked on record-length Southend Pier, will refurbish Deal one

The contractor responsible for resurfacing the world’s longest pleasure pier will now refurbish Deal’s iconic concrete structure.

Dover District Council announced a half a million pound refurbishment for the landmark last November during its Diamond anniversary year.

Kent-based contractor, HTR Building Services Ltd, has since won a competitive tender to lay a new asphalt surface with work due to start on Monday, April 16.

Gary Judd, Managing Director of HTR Building Services, on Deal Pier (1294867)
Gary Judd, Managing Director of HTR Building Services, on Deal Pier (1294867)

It will mark the first stage of the work’s programme which will also include new seating.

Gary Judd, managing director of HTR Building Services, said: “Having worked on the resurfacing of Southend Pier - at 2.16km the longest pleasure pier in the world - it’s exciting to be involved with a shorter but nonetheless great pier in Deal.”

The resurfacing of the 300metre long pier is expected to take five to six weeks to complete, depending on the weather conditions.

The pier will remain open throughout the refurbishment although fishing will be restricted to the lower deck during the resurfacing.

Cllr Trevor Bartlett, portfolio holder for corporate assets, said: “Deal Pier is the jewel in the crown of Deal seafront and we are delighted to be investing to upgrade this popular public amenity to make it fit for the next 60 years.”

Dover District Council has also appointed Fleurets, an agency specialising in the hospitality and leisure sector, to market potential opportunities for the new long-term lease of the café at the end of the pier.

The unit has been closed since January 1 after former occupant Jasin Kaplan’s lease was terminated by mutual agreement with DDC. It followed an alleged disagreement between them over opening hours of the pier.

The renovations come in the Pier's 60th anniversary year (1294865)
The renovations come in the Pier's 60th anniversary year (1294865)

Chairman of the Deal Society, David White, said: “Whilst we are pleased to see the resurfacing going ahead, we are disappointed that the café is still empty.

"With Easter this weekend, we need it to be open. The pier is an important attraction to visitors and residents.

"We are particularly concerned that DDC has admitted the small kitchen may be a problem in attracting an operator and we are urging them to treat the appointment of a new operator for the café as an urgent matter."

The landmark and restaurant were used for filming of ITV’s hit drama Liar.

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