Picturedrome's two new screens move a step closer

Town councillors, who own the historic building, have invited expressions of interest from architects and design companies for the work.

They have until next Wednesday to apply to the council.

The chosen applicant will be expected to be able to apply for planning permission and a listed building consent for the Grade II listed building to enable the extra screens to be installed.

The call for the number of screens at the popular attraction to be doubled arose from April’s meeting of Bognor electors.

A motion from the town’s civic society chairman, Laurie Barnes, calling for the extra screens was backed by the residents present.

Hugh Coster, the society’s deputy chairman, said: “We are very pleased the town council is proceeding with this.

“We look forward to the improvement being made to the Picturedrome and creating a far better facility for the town.

“The new screens will add to the attractions of the Picturedrome. They will also remove any need for a multiplex on the Regis Centre site.”

He expected any work on the Picturedrome to accommodate the new screens would also improve the foyer and waiting area for its patrons.

“This will make the cinema as bang up-to-date as possible and we would hope the work is carried out as fast as possible.”

The town council bought the Picturedrome in 2010 after plans to turn the main screen into flats had been put forward on behalf of its former owner.

The council has spent a six-figure sum improving and repairing the town-centre building with its 300-seat main screen.

Its policy and resources committee recently decided to see if the electors’ vote could be turned into reality by asking anyone interested in the work to make initial presentations to the council.

Its formal notice seeking expressions of interest for the work states: “These presentations would give members the opportunity to consider ideas and potential costs to enable them to determine the viability of the potential project.”

The cinema is run by the Picturedrome Electric Theatre Company on a lease from the town council. The company would pay to fit out the new screens.

Similar-sized auditoria to the existing 87-seat Screen Two could cost about £100,000 each to equip, it is believed. The potential building costs could be the same.