Cinema groupgets £100,000

The grant followed a successful appeal to East Sussex County Council’s Rural Growth and Employment Fund from the Fletcher in Rye Group.

Fletcher in Rye director Hugh Kermode said: “This wonderful news is testament to the fact that we are on the right track and is a further indicator of the massive level of support for the project from all sectors of community - businesses, individuals and other interested parties including ESCC.”

Rye county councillor Keith Glazier said: “I’m absolutely delighted that we’ve been able to help with this project.

“If the development goes ahead it will create new jobs and will be a wonderful new facility for the people of Rye and surrounding villages.

“This grant and potential loan is another example of County Council funding being directed at our key priorities - helping the local economy, boosting jobs and supporting business. The funding comes from our £6m Economic Intervention Fund.”

The Fletcher in Rye/Kino Digital development has been endorsed by Rye Town Council, The Rye Partnership, Rye College, Rye Conservation Society and many shops, hotels and residents and should come before the Rother Planning Committee on March 14.

Arrangements are being finalised with Kino Digital who will run it on a long lease as well as making an investment of £500,000 in the fitting out. Fletcher must raise £750,000 through a combination of Bank Loans, Private Loans and grants/donations.