Bognor's Picturdrome cinema is closed as the bailiffs take control

The Bognor Regis Town Council members agreed at their meeting on Monday to pursue negotiations with Bognor Pier Co.

Council projects officer Paul Beckerson said: "The councillors have agreed to consider all options to protect the Picturedrome Cinema, now a Grade II listed building, from unwanted development and its use as an entertainment venue for the town.

"We will see what comes out of these negotiations. Any option is a possibility, but I don't want to raise people's hopes too high."

As well as ownership, possible moves could include helping set up a charitable trust to run the cinema or joining with another buyer.

Mr Beckerson said the bailiffs' actions were unlikely to affect the town council's talks. "We are not part of what has happened and I don't think it would make too much difference to the town council if anyone is in the building or not," he added.

Mr Cunard, who is a town councillor, was excluded from the decision to open talks about the cinema.