Curtains close on car park cinema for Littlehampton

St Martins Carpark, in Littlehampton, where it had been hoped a new cinema could be constructed to replace the now-closed Windmill Entertainment Centre's cinema

During a private briefing meeting of the Littlehampton regeneration committee, last week, it was revealed that a potential cinema, in St Martin’s car park, had been omitted – under the instruction of Arun District Council officers.

The revelation was made public by Dr James Walsh, during Arun’s full council meeting, on Thursday (October 24).

He said that, while reading the briefing document, he spotted that consultants Turner and Townsend were instructed not to look at the potential of a cinema at the car park.

Instead, they had been told to look at the feasibility of providing a gym or a ten-pin bowling alley, while retaining parking provision at the site.

Dr Walsh said: “I just exploded. I was in total disbelief and shock.

“We’re in a ludicrous position with Bognor having a cinema but not wanting another while Littlehampton hasn’t got one at all but is desperately pleading for one and officers are telling them they can’t have it.

“We had been strung along with the possibility of a small multiplex at St Martins’ car park. Now that’s off the cards. It’s a complete betrayal for the town.”

Littlehampton has been without a cinema since the Windmill Entertainment Centre closed in February.

Dr Walsh’s anger was shared by other councillors at the briefing, including Arun council leader, Gill Brown, cabinet member for planning and infrastructure, Ricky Bower, Littlehampton mayor Joyce Bower and former mayor Alan Gammon.

Dr Walsh hinted that, without a cinema complex at St Martin’s, the chances of any investment by future big retailers in the town could be dramatically reduced.

Cllr Bowyer complained: “The options we were presented were totally flawed. No developer would come along and do this, knowing that they are not going to get a return on their investment.”

Karl Roberts, assistant director planning and economic regeneration for Arun, said the council had commissioned a study looking at a range of options for the possible development of St Martin’s. He stressed that no decision had been made.

Dr Walsh said: “The town does not want to be fobbed off with a part-time cinema. What it wants is a full-time, professionally-run provision.”