I did here a discussion by Neil Scales that long term ideas where consideration of piers at the garden festival and new brighton plus pulling out of the tram museum due to a clash of interests and it being non viable. Diversification meant going into the tourist market rather than a commuter service.
Buy into the beatles tat market at the pier head with two beatles exhibitions and the submarine.

I cann't see a pier at New Brighton in the next few years.