Sponsoring a bench, whether on the pier or anywhere else, is certainly a nice idea.
However, what can become a problem is the sponsors fixing floral tributes to the bench. This will often deter other people from using the bench and surely the benches are intended for people to sit on. If the sponsors visit only occasionally, put on the flowers and then go away, who is supposed to remove the flowers when they die (if real ones) or become tatty (if artificial)? After a while these benches can become eyesores.
I know that I'm not alone in thinking this. Right, Bri?