£20,000 improvements for threatened theatre

The representatives of Arun Arts will attend Tuesday's meeting of the town's civic society to discuss their intentions.

They intend to spend at least 20,000 improving the Alexandra Theatre in spite of being dumped from the future of entertainment.

Adam Cunard, one of the four trustees, said: "We are not going anywhere and it's very much a case of business as usual at the centre.

"We are also pleased we can show our plans to the public.

"Between now and September, we will be putting a new cafe in the centre, completely refurbishing the studio theatre and moving the bar.

"We are unanimous as trustees that we have got a very good theatre."

Arun Arts has been overlooked for the new proposed entertainment venue on the centre's site.

Arun district councillors are about to make the final decision to back rival Openwide International to run a 500-seat theatre alongside a three-to-five screen multiplex.

But the current centre, with its 365 seat Alexandra Theatre, is likely to stay open for another four years. The new development may not even be open until 2014, though the current building will need to be demolished before then to allow the new facilities to be built.

The future might be unclear but the need to look after customers now means the trustees are pressing ahead with their investment plans.

"There is no need to pull down the Regis Centre. The decision does not make sense," said Mr Cunard.

Civic society deputy chairman Hugh Coster said: "We are very concerned about Arun's decision partly because we believe Openwide's proposals are not entirely deliverable.

"This is such an important decision for the future of the town. There needs to be no doubts about it."

Among the issues was the fact Openwide was willing to invest cash in the scheme only subject to the outcome of more detailed planning work.

This was in contrast to Arun Arts' willingness to invest money in the proposed venue.

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