It may be a commercial problem for the town, inasmuch as the pier was a tourist attraction. But, sad in my view is an emotion kept for people and animals.
I am however biased I was born near Weston and I can not stand the place, however if you want to admire a pier go and visit Clevedon 15 miles north up the coast. It has an exceptionally elegant Victorian pier and no donkeys.
I cried when Southend pier burnt :-( But that is because it is sentimental to me! My grandads ashes were scattered there from a navy boat and every year since on boxing day the hole of my dads side of the family would walk the pier with my nan!
yes, I read it the same way as oldgit: it's just the buildings on deck that were burnt, the substructure sounded as if it was ok; so it could be rebuilt.
The problem with piers is that they are made of wood and easily destroyed by fire,wind,rain. Eventually we will have none left. The victorians who built them probably didn't think of them as a long term investment/interest. The fact that any have survived is a miracle.