Film-lovers rally round to keep Bognor's cinema open

Its current temporary lease runs out on November 18 but people in the town are rallying to the cause of keeping it open permanently.

Letters have been flooding into the Observer office in support of the cinema.

Lynn Martin, of Lane End Road in Middleton-on-Sea, wrote: "I think everything possible should be done to keep the cinema open '“ it would be a great shame for it to close.

"The staff are warm and welcoming and the prices of the seats and confectionery are more than reasonable.

"It costs a small fortune to take my three grandchildren to the Chichester cinema and that's without all the hassle of getting there.

"I for one would be more than happy to pay another 1 extra each to get in, if this would help in any way.

"Please keep trying to keep the cinema in Bognor open."

And Mrs Burford, of Parklands Avenue in Bognor Regis, added: "I am so glad the cinema has now re-opened.

"I think it is time the town raised the funds to buy back the cinema and save this wonderful asset for its intended purpose of showing films."

Bognor Regis Town Council is talking to the Bognor Pier Co about buying the Grade II listed building in Canada Grove, Bognor Regis, which houses the cinema.

Projects officer Paul Beckerson said: "Negotiations are well under way and hopefully we will have a conclusion in the next couple of weeks.

"The council is committed to preserving the building for public entertainment use."

The cinema topped the agenda at Tuesday night's meeting of Bognor Regis Civic Society.

After a debate on a variety of technical aspects related to the building and its future, the 42 members gathered at the Royal Norfolk Hotel voted unanimously to work towards preserving the building and maintaining its use as a cinema.

Adam Cunard, managing director of cinema operator the Picturedrome Electric Theatre Co, said: "It's always nice to have support from the Bognor Regis Civic Society because its members are vocal and representative of the town. A lot of them also come to the cinema.

"Fame is currently doing good business at the cinema and half-term is coming up soon, which should also give us a boost.

"I just hope we can get the issue of who owns the freehold of the building resolved."

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