FEARS FOR FUTURE OF WORTHING DOME

The fears came after the application to change the use of function rooms, restaurants/bars on the ground, first, second and third floors, for purposes independent from the cinema, was passed by the council's development control committee yesterday.

People are concerned that it would produce an additional 'vertical drinking' venue, where people stand and drink, on the seafront.

Robin King for Save the Dome described the decision as 'a complete dog's breakfast,' saying he felt it had been rushed through.

He said it will lead to a disaster both operationally and for the cinema and added that he would be applying for a call in.

"It spells a death nail for medium to long term cinema at the dome.

"How are you going to put a chain on people saying you have to be sitting down when you drink."

At the meeting Councillor Clive Roberts said: "It (the dome) has to live in the 21st century otherwise there's no point in it being there.

"If nobody goes in there it will fall apart," he added.

Councillor Michael Donin said: "It's a very important asset to the town and I feel we need to guarantee its future."

Councillor Joan Bradley said: "I do want to say how much I value this as an architectual gem for Worthing."

For full story see West Sussex Gazette October 24