Yes... the minister helps our cinema to survive

His decision to awarded grade II listed status to the late 19th-century structure gives it national recognition. It shows the historic importance of the building as an entertainment venue for the town.

One of Mr Bradshaw's officials, Elizabeth Ager, makes it clear on the listing schedule the Picturedrome is being protected because of its leisure-time role.

She states: "It is an unusual example of an early cinema, derived from an assembly hall of 1886, which has retained its original architectural character.

"The interior has good survival of the principal areas, including auditorium and staircase.

"It is also notable as exemplifying an entertainment building in a traditional seaside townscape."

Ms Agar also mentions the survival of the facade, including a stylish Victorian canopy, and the coloured glass Picturedrome sign among the other reasons for the listing approval.

The success of the listing campaign has been welcomed by the managing director of the cinema's operator.

Adam Cunard, of the Picturedrome Electric Theatre Company, said: "I am pleased the building has been recognised.

"It's good news for the town because it can't now just be demolished like the other places of entertainment were, such as the Theatre Royal, for blocks of flats.

"The people of Bognor showed they wanted the cinema to be listed."

But he stressed the listing made no difference to the need to spend heavily on the building's maintenance.

"A building of this sort needs a lot of money. It needs some intensive work and I hope the listed status opens up the possibility of gaining some grants towards that cost," he said.

Cinema-goer and mother of two Tania Wisdom, of Nyetimber, said: "It's good we can keep a building like the Picturedrome in the town. It's part of the town and I wish we looked after other buildings like that.

"It's lovely to have a cinema in Bognor. It's an ideal place to go with the children in the summer holidays."

The application for the cinema to be listed was made last February when it was revealed the cinema operator and the building's owner, Bognor Pier Co, were locked in a rent row.

This threatens the viability of the two-screen venue on the corner of Canada Grove and Linden Road.

The pier company wanted to raise the annual rent from 16,000 to 75,000. This was reduced to 45,000, backdated to the previous May, on arbitration.

But this is still disputed by Mr Cunard as being unaffordable. The matter remains unresolved. The argument prompted more than 3,000 people to back a campaign in support of the Picturedrome.

Last month saw the 90th anniversary of the building showing films full-time.

Harry Potter has given the cinema a bumper start to the latest decade of its long life. Last Wednesday evening was a sell-out of its 400-seat main auditorium and most screenings have been near to capacity to make it a busy time for its 15 full and part-time staff.

Bognor Pier Co secretary and director Josephine Carter could not be contacted. The company has no connection to the town's pier.

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