Dome's £1.65m Lottery grant

Worthing's historic seafront landmark will close for almost all of 2005 and re-open after an extensive refurbishment, which will see the Grade II listed building returned to its original Edwardian glory.

Belle Stennett, chair of the Worthing Dome and Regeneration Trust, told the Herald: "We are ecstatic. This grant will enable us to put the Dome firmly back on the map as one of the premier seafront attractions for all the community to enjoy."

The Dome will re-open as a "multi-entertainent venue" in December 2005, with one large screen, the electric theatre's second screen, an arts caf, tower bar, and glass-fronted entrance.

There will also be a tourist information office and a visitor centre. A small band of volunteers have worked tirelessly to restore the cinema to its former glory since the Worthing Dome and Regeneration Trust bought the building for 10 in 1999.

They have raised nearly half a million to secure this grant '” the biggest ever handed out in West Sussex '” and are still celebrating news of the grant.

Mrs Stennett said: "It is the biggest grant in West Sussex and has taken four-and-a-half-years and a lot of devotion from the volunteers to get through."

Mrs Stennett said she wanted to open up the cinema to the widest audience and make it a focal point of the community. This means keeping prices at a reasonable level, creating access for people with disabilities and running a "children's committee" so young visitors can get the most out of their visit.

The Dome first opened in 1911 as an entertainment hall and public room and is now one of only five cinemas in the country which date from the era of silent film.

In 1921, the building was completely renovated and the ground floor was transformed into a 550-seat auditorium.

Michael Houghton, Heritage Lottery Fund acting manager for South East England, said: "This is a really exciting project and we're thrilled to be able to support it."

He added: "As well as restoring this wonderful building, the Trust will ensure it continues to be used for its original purpose for many years to come."