Sand on Worthing Beach!?!

Somebody has kindly laid a wide strip of soft sand along the beach at Worthing which is normally stones and only shows sand at low tide.
I imagine it was done because of the Firework Display at the end of the pier, but why? The children would have appreciated it more in the summer as it looks like even the one lonesome seagull is wondering whether to walk on it. (You may need to zoom in and use your imagination)