Thousands back campaign to keep Bognor's cinema

Thousands of supporters have backed the fight to keep a cinema in Bognor Regis.

The campaign in support of the Picturedrome has attracted a large amount of support on line and on paper.

The petition in favour of the cinema's operator in its rent dispute with the building's owner has been signed by 3,339 individuals.

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A support group on the Facebook website has gained 2,813 members.

The operating company, Bognor Electric Theatre, is involved in a dispute with the Bognor Pier concern, which owns the historic building on the corner of Canada Grove and Linden Road.

The news of the backing comes as an afternoon screening has been added to the Picturedrome's opening times.

The early film shows are taking place on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The new 2-2.30pm sessions mean blockbusters are showing at the venue three times a day, seven days a week, on both screens.

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This is the first time in many years lovers of the silver screen have had the choice of so many viewing opportunities. The scheme is already proving popular.

Last Friday's (May 8) 2.20pm showing of Star Trek attracted an audience of 50.

Manager Chris Allsopp said he was happy with the turnout.

"If our audiences keep going at that size, we will keep the cinema open every afternoon," he explained.

He came up with the idea for the early screening after noticing more people than ever walking around the town centre during the afternoons.

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"It could be to do with the fact that more and more people are working shifts nowadays and they have more time to spare during the day," he said.

"I thought some of them might want to spend some of that time enjoying some great entertainment at the cinema for just 2.50. They can't come along to the evening screenings if they work then."

The first film shown in the afternoon was X-Men Origins: Wolverine the previous week.

Before that, outside of school holidays, the Picturedrome had only midweek Wednesday afternoon screenings in addition to weekend afternoons.

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