Potential operators for new theatre complex revealed

The seven organisations are bidding for the right to run the luxury entertainment venue which is intended to form the centrepiece of the town's 100m regeneration.

The unique venue is intended to blend the big-screen experience with live performances.

Initial plans show it having one main screen with up to three smaller auditoria with capacities from 50 to 500 seats.

The attraction will replace the current Regis Centre.

The hopefuls have been given an extra month to prepare their detailed plans to operate the complex.

This means the new deadline will be February 29. The extension was agreed by Cllr Norman Dingemans, the chairman of Arun District Council's Bognor Regis sub-comittee, because of the operators' busy Christmas schedules.

The firms involved are:

l Inspire Leisure '“ runs the Windmill Entertainment Complex at Littlehampton as well as the Arun Leisure Centre and the sports centre at Littlehampton.

l Arun Arts Ltd '“ runs the Regis Centre with its booming attendances and is also involved with the Picturedrome Cinema in Bognor.

l Apollo Cinemas '“ has 13 multiplexes. Locations include Altrincham, Barrow-in-Furness, Torbay and Morecambe. Nearest is Fareham, which boasts five luxury screens, state of the art film presentation and premier seats. Typical evening ticket prices are 6.50 adults and 4.50 child. Luxury seats are 1 extra.

l Openwide International Group '“ from its base in North London, specialises in working with local communities and councils to run theatres, visitor attractions, piers and museums. Current locations are Cromer Pier and Pavilion Theatre in North Norfolk, Bournemouth Pier and the Spa Pavilion Theatre in Felixstowe.

l HQ Theatres '“ is the third largest theatre operator in the UK regions. Looks after The Cliffs Pavilion in Southend as well as the town's Palace Theatre. The Beck Theatre at Hayes, Wycombe Swan Theatre and the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon are also operated by it.

l Everyman Media Ltd '“ as revealed in the Observer, runs a luxury cinema in Hampstead in North London. Leather seats and bottle coolers are standard. Two screens of around 150 and 70 seats and a private viewing lounge for 20 people. Ticket prices range from 12 to 30.

l Number One Entertainment Ltd.

Briefings with three of the hopefuls were held in December. The rest of the meetings will take place in the next six weeks.

Bognor Regis regeneration co-ordinator Richard McMann says in a report to Monday's sub-committee meeting: 'From those responding, a number will then be invited for interview and to meet St Modwen's architectural and design teams to examine and assess how their proposals would best be accommodated in the development.'

Those who provide detailed plans will be assessed by a group of representatives of developer St Modwen Properties, entertainment consultants Locum, the Vision group of Bognor organisations and Bognor Regis Town Council.

Their conclusions will be considered by the sub-committee on April 14.

The recommendations will go to all Arun's councillors on April 30 for a final decision.

A detailed table of measures, such as community involvement and financial viability, will be used to assess the proposals.

St Modwen has to submit a planning application for the scheme this year as part of the intended revamp of the town centre which also includes the Hothamton car park off Queensway.