Ropetackle scheme launched

More than 200 people went to the meeting, which had been organised by the Ropetackle Trust, about the development's new community facility.

The building is expected to be finished in January 2006 and the Trust also launched the Friends of Ropetackle scheme.

The meeting was chaired by MP Tim Loughton, who told the Herald afterwards: "The building is the result of a planning gain to Adur Council. As such it will be there for the wider use of the community and we will be as responsive as possible to their needs and wishes without remit of promoting the arts and education within Adur and, of course, maintaining a financially sustainable venture."

Education consultant Anne Hodgson told the meeting the building would be used as a venue for the Adur Festival. There will be a cafe bar area, which will be able to hold art exhibitions, a mezzanine floor with a meeting room and a performance space with seating for 230 people.

Shoreham Beach councillor Liza McKinney commented: "I do wish it well. There is room in Adur, and beyond, to have a space where you can put on everything from cinema to children's activities.

"However what is important is going to be earning the money to pay for all of it. What bothers me is if there are only 230 seats, what is going to be the price of a ticket to cover the cost of the film."

Mrs McKinney said she was also concerned about parking at the site and whether people would be willing to park on Adur Recreation Ground and walk over the Norfolk Bridge in the winter.

Anyone wanting to sign up to the Friends of Ropetackle or contact the Ropetackle Trust can do so via the Adur Enterprise Gateway, 2 Tarmount Lane, Shoreham, BN43 6DA.