The Pier Trust wants an ice rink on the pier in time for Christmas after winning a 20-year lease from Canterbury City Council.

It has a busy year of activities in the pipeline, with planning applications being prepared for more beach huts, a tea-room, a community stage for music and drama and a permanent helter skelter.

The trust has also outlined plans for an Easter Egg-stravaganza, with egg hunts, Easter bunny, and an animal petting farm in time for the holidays in April.

After winning the lease, they have appealed for people to come forward with their ideas for businesses, activities and events.

Trust chair Doreen Stone said: “I’m delighted with the result. We have been waiting for quite a while for this decision.

“We’ve now been in touch with architects about planning permission for more business huts of various sizes.

“We want to go as far as we can as fast as we can, and hope to offer some entertainment on the pier.

“It will include performances, markets, and possibly an ice skating rink before Christmas.

“We are hoping to start building some of the huts with a large tea room for people to get out of the cold.

“We will be securing the helter skelter permanently, which is a symbol of our quality seaside tradition.

“We want to invite anyone with an idea of quality to come forward. If it can bring something a bit different, like a craft, music or food, then we’d like them to get in touch.

“We can make this a people’s pier, so we want activities to do us proud.”

Cllr Andrew Cook (Con), who is a trustee for the Pier Trust said: “I’m very happy that it’s going forward.

“Most people will be in agreement that the trust were the rightful bid to get the lease. We are there to deliver a pier with a range of uses for the people of Herne Bay.”

If you’d like to find out more about getting involved with the pier, visit the website www.hernebaypiertrust.co.uk or call 07767 338400.

What do you think? Email hernebaygazette@thekmgroup.co.uk or write to Gazette House, 5-8 Boorman Way, Wraik Hill, Whitstable, CT5 3SE.