Arts groups asked to join theatre debate

The invitation to the cultural societies has come from the new chairman of the Vision group.

Tom Frears was elected to the role by its members to succeed the Duke of Richmond.

North Bersted resident Mr Frears said the group's membership needed to reflect what he believed was a critical stage in Bognor's development. This meant ensuring that culture and the arts '“ such as live theatre, film and music '“ were represented.

'I am strongly of the opinion that culture and the arts are an essential ingredient of town life and that it is one of the councils' duties to help ensure they are provided for within the regeneration policy,' said Mr Frears. His invitation has occurred as debate rages about the proposed replacement for the Hotham Arts Centre on the seafront. The favoured option of the developer, St Modwen Properties, is for an upmarket combined theatre/film complex complemented by three smaller screens.

A planning application for the project could be submitted by St Modwen next year. Work is going on behind the scenes, mainly between Arun District Council and the company, to conclude all the legal agreements later this month to enable the redevelopment of the site and the Hothamton car park to take place.

But critics say the scheme could lead to the death of live entertainment because the more profitable film screenings will take precedence. A lack of full fly tower to store scenery will also wipe out the new venue's ability to attract major touring productions, they say. The Vision group was formed in 2001 to act as a community voice of a diverse range of bodies with an interest in the town's welfare and development.

Members included representatives of the University of Chichester, Bognor Regis Chamber of Commerce, the town's civic society and John Wiley and Son.

The Duke of Richmond has chaired the group since its formation. On announcing his intention to stand down, he said he believed the group had succeeded in its objectives of establishing good working relations between its members and working constructively with Arun to produce a masterplan for Bognor's regeneration which led to St Modwen's selection.

He considered it was an appropriate time to hand over the reins because the time was approaching for the implementation of the masterplan.

He added that he had worked closely with Mr Frears for the past six years and believed he was ideally suited to lead the Vision group in the next phase of its operation. The group is represented on the Bognor Regis regeneration board set up by Arun to include members of the district, county and town councils.