Bexhill's silver screen era is over

The Curzon, in Western Road, specialised in showing world cinema, independent movies and critically acclaimed films. Rumours about its possible closure had circulated for a number of years.

After not renewing his lease, cinema boss Ray Sutton had to confess town residents, "do not want" his particular brand of movie theatre.

At its peak Bexhill had four cinemas and it is thought the latest closure of a long-standing business could be a further signal of the town's slide into decline.

Mr Sutton announced as far back as 1998 the Curzon faced closure as a centre for art-house films and would have to look to mainstream cinema.

He took over the lease of the 215 - seat theatre in 1994, restoring it himself before it reopened at the beginning of 1995.

The policy of the Curzon was to "programme films on the basis of their quality and not on the basis of the hype of the American dominated film distributors."

But a disappointed Mr Sutton was forced to tell customers, this week: "It has been impossible to agree terms for the renewal of the lease that would have given me any chance of financial survival.

"Providing a cinema in Bexhill has always been a struggle. I have to face the sad fact that the residents of Bexhill do not want a cinema that has attempted to show some of the more intelligent and highly praised films from around the world. To the small band of loyal supporters I should like to say thank you and goodbye."

The theatre was built soon after the First World War as The Playhouse and renamed The Classic before adopting its current title.

Other cinemas in Bexhill had included the De Luxe, the Gaiety (bombed in 1940) and the Ritz (closed in 1961).

Curzon regular Bruce Thorndike, of Rye, said: "It's such a shame because he (Mr Sutton) is one of those people who really knows about film and is such a nice guy too. We used to travel over just to see the films and it's sad that it wasn't better attended." r Letters: page 7. H45033a