New Bognor theatre operator '“ how we intend to attract visitors to seafront

The tower or fixed hot-air balloon is being seen by Openwide International as a key way of attracting people to the promenade.

The tourist attraction would be placed on the plaza which would link the Place St Maur with the promenade over a closed Esplanade to provide a bird's eye view of the surroundings.

The eye-catching addition to Bognor's seafront, which could be dubbed the Bognor Bird, would be joined on the paved area by more traditional crowd-pullers such as a peak summer market, a restaurant, snack outlets, gift shops, classic children's rides and a winter market

Inside the neighbouring entertainment venue envisaged by Openwide will be a 500-seat auditorium with an orchestra pit to keep alive the tradition of live shows in Bognor Regis.

The company has also put forward plans for three to five dedicated cinema screens, possibly run by Apollo Cinemas, meeting room space and a restaurant and seafront bar.

The intended programme of activities will include touring professional shows '“ pantos, concerts and popular music '“ along with community use, such as school productions.

An indoor surfing (flow rider) area is also planned to add to the attractions of the facility along with a children's aerial adventure park and climbing walls.

Openwide was in competition with the Regis Centre's current operator, Arun Arts, to be selected for the future of entertainment in Bognor. The companies' bids were examined by a five-strong panel, made up of Sean Young (chairman), of Locum Consulting; Gary Morris, of St Modwen; Richard McMann, of Arun District Council; Paul Beckerson, of Bognor Regis Town Council; Tom Frears, of Bognor Regis Regeneration Vision Group.

They judged the two final submissions after two interviews with the contenders on 14 criteria based on the quality of the companies, quality of the proposals and their commercial viability. Openwide received 73 per cent overall support and Arun Arts 52 per cent. Openwide won four categories by a wide margin, four by a smaller margin and two narrowly. Arun Arts won just a single category, while three were drawn.

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