Cries to save Littlehampton cinema fall on '˜deaf ears'

Last Wednesday (February 6) around 200 campaigners, fighting to get new digital projectors installed at the Windmill Entertainment Centre, massed to hand over a petition to Arun, which saw almost 5,000 supporters signing it in little more than two weeks – smashing the figure of 1,500 needed for the council to debate the issue.

However, in spite of determined cries to “save the Windmill,” petition organiser Angela Tester, secretary of the Littlehampton Civic Society, has claimed that their efforts have “fallen on deaf ears”.

It comes as the Windmill sets to screen its final film, this evening (Thursday, February 14).

Angela presented the box of signatures to councillor Paul Dendle, Arun’s cabinet member for the environment, with responsible for leisure and tourism, outside the Arun Civic Centre, in Maltravers Road.

She said: “Littlehampton will become a desert. What Arun essentially said to us is that the Windmill would have to become a village hall, where it is rented out for functions.

“That’s just not on. We are a large town and deserve decent leisure facilities.

“It feels like our protests and shouts have just fallen on deaf ears because Arun and Inspire Leisure are both claiming that they can’t do anything to help.

“They have all got into their entrenched positions and that’s it. They don’t seem like they want to budge.

“So, yes, we are disappointed with this, considering the real strength and depth of support shown by communities across Littlehampton and Rustington to save the Windmill.”

Marchers walked from the Windmill, north along Pier Road and Surrey Street, before heading through High Street and south along Beach Road. Many carried banners and plaques. Others were chanting during the walk.

Top leisure facilities ‘commitment’

Speaking to the Gazette after the event, Mr Dendle said that Arun was committed to providing top leisure facilities across the district.

He highlighted that in Arun’s leisure strategy proposals were included to convert St Martins car park into a commercial multiplex cinema.

“Arun remains committed to looking towards the 21st century,” Mr Dendle said. “The draft leisure strategy does outline plans for a possible multiplex in Littlehampton, which, ironically, would have the a full set of digital projectors.”

He continued saying that there was the potential that the Windmill could adopt a band of volunteers to run it, similar to the New Park Cinema, in Chichester.

However, campaigners are weary of this idea and the potential of a yet-to-be approved multiplex in the town.

“I’m thinking the Littlehampton hospital,” said Angela. “They promised, before the demolition work began, that we would get a new one.

“Where is it? Who knows. But it’s certainly not in Littlehampton.

“We just want to make sure that, if a new cinema is promised it is built before the old one is knocked down, or closed.”

The cinema’s final film to be screen is the The Quartet. Doors open at 7pm tonight with the movie scheduled to begin at 7.30pm.