The West Pier was the finest pier in the UK by a very wide margin, with the most elegant pavilions, the best ornamentation, and just the right amount of profitable amusements of the period. The pier began as a straightforward promenading pier, with seating and sheltering screens, being a venue regarded as improving one's health. The construction of the Palace pier in 1891-99 introduced a threat to the pier's success, prompting the pier to develop its amusements (including the construction of the pavilion in 1893 and the concert hall in 1916), which advanced the pier into its most prosperous years. After re-opening after World War II, the pier saw less success than before. Its entertainment facilities were beginning to become dated, especially when compared to the Palace Pier. After a period of neglect and deterioration through the 1960s, the seaward end closed in 1970, followed by the entire pier in 1975. The West Pier Trust was formed shortly afterwards, eventually gaining ownership of the pier. By 1984, most of the landing stage had collapsed and one of the seaward toll booths fell cleanly through the deck, leaving a perfect octagonal hole. Progress towards restoration was slow through the 1980s, although the shoreward entrance section re-opened in 1987. Storms in the same year destroyed the shoreward neck section, and brought general damage to the rest of the pier.

The 1990s was more productive, beginning with the dismantling and storage of one of the original kiosks at the seaward end in 1992. By 1996, large quantities of heritage funding had been promised by several bodies, and in the same year a temporary bridge had been built over the damaged section, allowing a series of public tours of the pier to take place. During this time, the future was looking very positive, with the pier expected to re-open by 2000. Over the next few years, a series of setbacks prevented the pier from being saved. First, complaints from The Noble Organisation, owners of Palace Pier, about unfair competition delayed progress. This resulted in some of the funding sources to withdraw. Then, the pier tours had to end due to the pier's critically poor structural condition. Following this were the two storms in late 2002 and early 2003, which caused the concert hall to collapse, followed by the two arson attacks in 2003. By this time, the main elements of both buildings were destroyed, leaving the steel structural frames. The majority of the deck had been destroyed, and the only un-burnt thing was a very small kiosk at the seaward end, which survived until falling off the pier in 2005. By this time, all funding had been withdrawn. Over the next 10 years, the remains gradually fell into the sea. Currently, only the pavilion and its supporting piles remain. The majority of the structure surrounding the pavilion (formerly decking areas) have collapsed. The West Pier Trust are not intending to interrupt its decay, mainly because they recognise that it is a major monument to Brighton, but also because it would be too dangerous to repair or demolish it.

Most people see the remains as an unrecognisable mangled mass of iron. However, if you look closely enough, you can make out important elements of the pier, such as the colonnade structure by the pavilion, which can be clearly seen to the right end of the superstructure tier. Ornamental railings and ceiling brackets are also visible. It is quite exciting to discover genuinely recognisable artefacts - things which can be placed into context using old photographs - on something that looks as disorderly as this. I have never been on the pier, nor have I ever seen it in any other form than this. However, if you have an imagination, and are able to appreciate these things, then you will enjoy seeing the West Pier remains much more.