Bognor goes 3D

Picturedrome Cinema is to show its first feature using the modern technology at the end of this month.

Film-goers will be able to delight in the animated antics of Shrek Forever After when it is set to be shown around June 28.

Cinema operator Adam Cunard showed a preview of the new equipment in the main screen to the Observer.

"We have had to put in new lenses and a lot of new equipment to be able to show 3D films," he said.

"It is going to cost a five-figure sum in all, when the expense of a new silver screen is included, but 3D is what people are now expecting.

"There are going to be a lot of films coming out in 3D later this year, including the latest Harry Potter and Piranha, and we need to be able to show them in Bognor.

"I am sure the investment will pay off because we are expecting to be packed out when we start showing 3D films."

The investment comes a month after Bognor Regis town councillors agreed to buy the freehold of the cinema building for 440,000. This ended a year of uncertainty after the previous owner put forward a redevelopment scheme to the anger of the cinema's many fans.

Mr Cunard's company, the Picturedrome Electric Theatre, is still on the three-month licence deal which has been a feature of his last dealings with the former owner.

But he hopes the decision to go ahead with installing the latest equipment will show his firm is the best one to take the Picturedrome into the next decade.

"The 3D effects here will be as good as anyone will see in Cineworld or any other multiplex.

"People will not see any difference," he said.

The cost of viewing a 3D film at the Picturedrome will be 1.50 more than the standard admission fee of 2.50 weekdays and 3.50 at weekends.

The glasses required to watch the films will be on sale for about 1.

They can be re-used or glasses bought elsewhere can be taken along.

3D will only initially be installed in the cinema's main screen but the necessary equipment will be put into the smaller upstairs screen in the next year.