Access for river services and visiting vessels will be maintained following the sale of an historic pier, the boss of the new owners has confirmed.

At a public meeting last night, Sean Collins – the co-founder and chief executive of transport company Uber Boat – told guests about its early plans after successfully buying Gravesend Town Pier.

He said a number of questions had been raised over what is going to happen to existing access of the pier which is used by ferries to and from Tilbury and heritage ships such as the Waverley.

Sean confirmed the company has been talking with Kent County Council – which subsidises the ferry crossing service along with Tilbury council and awards the contract – and intends to continue to support the operators "whoever they may be" and accommodate visiting vessels. But he added that Uber Boat would still need permanent access.

The company has had the pier for two weeks and does not see the commuter service being up and running any earlier than 2025.

There will be two hybrid boats at first, which are being built after the order was placed last year, Sean said.

He added: "It has not been without its challenges but it has been many years of discussion. It has been our vision for some time. Gaining control of the pier at Gravesend is a massive milestone.

"We recognise the pier has to be maintained and we are aware of the work that needs to be done on it in the next few years.

"We are looking forward to serving Gravesend and making use of this amazing space."

It has not yet been decided what the commercial space on the pier – formerly the Riva bar – will be turned into but guests were told any offers would be considered and it would not sit empty.

Speaking after the meeting, local residents Andrew and Gill – who did not wish to give their surname – said they thought the purchase and plans for a commuter service was a "great idea".

Gill said: "I am really positive they want to do it and bring life back to Gravesend. It will be a lovely way to get to London."

She said the plans were a way of reclaiming the town's history when people used to use the pier to travel down from the city to visit the county, and she hoped the same will happen again.

Andrew agreed: "It could open up the whole of Kent but it has got to have some joined-up thinking. What will they do if you cannot get back due to weather conditions?

"All their services are within the Oyster catchment, we do not want to see the fare going up a fortune."

Valerie – who also only gave her first name and lives just along from the pier – said: "It seems very positive but talk is cheap. We will have to see what happens.

"People have to follow through. I think it will be a good thing. I used to commute and would have loved it."

Another resident who lives close by, Lisa, said: "I would love for it to happen but it just seems a little uncommitted to me. As long as it is used it will be great.

"I work in East London and would love to have something that goes there and is a bit cheaper than the high speed. I would also like them to make use of the building. It is such a beautiful pier."

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is looking to run a high-speed commuter river link from Gravesend to London as well as running leisure trips.

It finalised the purchase of the pier and pontoon from Gravesham Borough Council (GBC) two weeks ago after the proposed deal was approved by cabinet members in January.

The council decided to sell the asset – as running costs continued to increase – so it could redirect funding into essential services for the borough's residents.

The pier is Grade–II listed and is the oldest remaining cast iron pier of its kind in the world.