Cinema building ‘not worth saving’
BEXHILL’S old cinema in Western Road is not worth saving according to a spokesman for the owner.
It has not been listed as a building worthy of preserving, it would cost too much to renovate, and it was not a commercial success when last open, claimed Tom Kinlock of Kemsley which is representing the Ormiston Trust.
He said English Heritage decided the building was “not of sufficient interest to merit preserving by way of listing”.
He added: “In addition you may also be aware that previous lengthy interest from a local consortium to bring the cinema back into use as a community venture was ended when a report commissioned by them revealed that it would require approaching £2m in works to in addition to any purchase price, and as such was nowhere near viable.
“You may also be aware the last tenant was unable, despite a much more affluent climate at the time, to make a commercial success of the property and became insolvent, leaving the Trust with debts and an empty building.
“As such there is ample evidence it is not viable in its current form and we believe the arguments to preserve it are fundamentally flawed.”
Supporters of the cinema have told the Observer they have not been allowed to look around the premises to assess damage, but Mr Kinlock claimed anyone with a “viable” plan making a “meaningful” offer would be considered and may then be given access.
He said: “Access is not required for such a plan to be prepared in the meantime as the building is well known to the parties you mention, as are the costs of remedial works required.
“Offers have been made for the building in the past but none at a level which would be of interest, hence none has been progressed.”
George Yerby of Friends of Bexhill Cinema gave his reaction to Mr Kinlock’s views and said: “We have now obtained a series of opinions from objective observers that the cinema could in fact be effectively restored for less than half a million.
“On this basis we are bringing forward a costed, viable and co-ordinated plan for reviving the cinema as a flexible venue for the modern context.
“It would have three screens, and would be adaptable for a range of other entertainment and community uses. Mr Kinloch’s misleading information is designed to frighten people into accepting the destruction of the cinema. But the tremendous rate at which people are signing our petition in favour of the cinema, shows that there is a strong public belief that this vital aspect of the heritage and culture of the town can and should be restored to its proper use.”
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Weather for Bexhill-on-Sea
Monday 28 May 2012
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Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
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