HAVING lived in Weston for around six years I have enjoyed walking along the prom and the pier throughout the year and always thought that the pier owners were doing a grand

HAVING lived in Weston for around six years I have enjoyed walking along the prom and the pier throughout the year and always thought that the pier owners were doing a grand job in maintaining what is considered by many to be the jewel in the crown of Weston's tourism. I was interested to read that new owners had taken over and that the pier was re-opening last weekend. So, like many others, I took a walk on the pier on a sunny afternoon yesterday (17th).I was astonished to see and read the numerous notices along the entire length of the pier stating that only food purchased on the pier could be eaten on the pier. Apart from the fact that this is, presumably entirely unforceable (can you really imagine pier attendants stopping people with ice cream bought from across the road walking up the incline of the pier?) it will alienate the new owners, Kerry and Michelle Michael, from the very public they are trying to attract.Many elderly folk enjoy taking a sandwich and a flask of tea onto the pier and sitting on the benches to relax and enjoy the sea air. They are no longer allowed to do this because the new owners have banned it. The notices only serve to make the residents of Weston realise that the new owners have only their own interests at heart and not the public's In reality, from what I could see, the majority of the seats yesterday were taken up by people eating and drinking food that was obviously not bought on the pier and no-one was objecting. In my opinion, the only thing achieved by this attitude of the new owners is that the residents of Weston will think, as I do, that losing the old regime of the Brenners is yet another example of "Things ain't what they used to be". Perhaps the Michaels will come to their senses and retract this ridiculous ban, although for this resident that in itself would not alter my opinion that they have made a very bad start with their new venture.ANDREW MARCHANT - Moorland Road, Weston* In reply to the letter above, a spokesmanfor the pier said: " No-one would expect to be permitted to eat their own food and drink on the terrace of any other seafront business and the pier is no different. The seating and facilities are provided for use by patrons. "The catering facilities have already been upgraded and we will continue to re-invest in them, this cannot be done without revenue. Looking at the first weekend, it is clear that, in any case, we will not have enough seating for all our customers. Therefore, what we do have, must be reserved for patrons".