In 2000 Brighton & Hove was granted city status as part of the millennium celebrations. There was a sense of optimism and the city staged extravagant events that continued into the decade. In 2002, 250,000 people occupied the beachfront for 'The Big Beach Boutique II' musical event. At the same time, the beachfront declined. In 2001 the West Pier partially collapsed when hit by severe weather and, a year later, the Palace Pier was damaged by fire.
