Cinema facts: Now it's over to the planning committee

He spoke with such passion and enthusiasm for the building and the plans the Friends of Bexhill Cinema have. These included three screens showing the latest films, a stage so local bands, theatre groups etc could put on shows, a lift to enable the less active access and maybe even a tourist information office.

Wouldn’t that be nice - our visitors not needing to go to Battle to find accommodation in and information about Bexhill. I did ask the obvious question of finance and was assured the Friends have the financial backing to make this happen.

All that is needed is for the owners, the Ormiston Trust (a small childrens charity) to agree.

A cinema would be of benefit to the community and of course youngsters in the town who currently complain there is no entertainment for them, except of course for Ocean Bowling which isn’t really in the town and will be closing soon to make way for Marks and Spencer.

On the subject of demand for a cinema/entertainment centre I was told about 5,000 had signed a petition in favour of these plans. I could be wrong but that sounds to me like more than 10 per cent of Bexhill’s population.

The Ormiston Trust has put in a planning application to demolish the last remaining cinema in Bexhill and develop the site with a shop with an area of 4000 sq feet - about the size of Iceland’s store in Devonshire Road - with 12 flats above.

Among the 80 or so objections currently lodged there is one from the council recycling officer and one from Southern Water, both of whom are against the plans.

So 5,000 voters who want the cinema and 80 have formally objected to the plans. Now it is up to the planning committee to decide what is best for Bexhill.

Let’s all hope the Observer will be carrying the headline “Cinema saved” and not “ More empty shops and flats in town centre”.

ALAN HALDANE

Amherst Road, Bexhill-on-Sea