View from New Park on Picturedrome

Cllr Andrew Evans’ letter (Observer, April 19) made direct reference to Chichester Cinema at New Park, so I thought it best to add my thoughts to the debate.

It is true to say that like the Picturedrome, New Park Cinema existed for many years (20) before the arrival of the local multiplex, but our similarities do not stretch much further than this.

At New Park we have always screened an independent programme of which many films cannot be seen at local multiplexes, allowing us to co-exist.

The Picturedrome focuses on a different programme which is much more in line with a traditional multiplex, meaning if the proposed Regis Centre cinema is built, the Picturedrome will stand no chance of competing.

Sure, the Picturedrome can adjust their programming to be more similar to New Park’s – but this will take years to settle in, and cinemas such as ours do not have that sort of time.

Within two months, the lack of cash flow will see the closure of another beautiful local cinema, and what we will be left with, is another residential block in its place, and another hollow multiplex with very little soul.

Cllr Evans’ letter ended with: ‘New Park does very well and is currently undergoing a major refurbishment’.

I feel it is important to clarify that in the ten years since the multiplex arrived in Chichester, we have had two good years, and a fair few more that were extremely difficult.

The refurbishment in question is a New Park Community Centre project (not the cinema), and will mean a new martial arts dojo, communal room and an information centre… not an updated cinema.

Walter Francisco

General Manager, Chichester Cinema at New Park