As the operator of the Picturedrome, after your story (The Argus, August 8), I want to clarify that the cinema is thriving and doing well and would continue to do so if the Bognor Pier Company (the landlords) had not insisted in increasing the annual rent from £16,000 to £45,000.

We have offered £30,000 but they will not accept that. Since £45,000 is an unrealistic figure to achieve for the site, especially as money needs to be spent on refurbishment and improvements, the Bognor Pier Company presumably saw more financial gain in submitting the application to convert it to flats, rather than accept the £30,000 annually.

The building has just been listed and, as anyone who uses it knows, is a very beautiful old building. Among other things the applicant plans to remove the 1911 art deco ceiling, which would be tragic.

Thank you for all your support so far. Pease keep coming to the cinema and please consider objecting to the planing application via the Arun website, or by letter – the application number is BR/181/09.

To object to the Listed Building Consent, the number is BR/812/09/L.

Adam Cunard
managing director
Picturedrome Electric Theatre Co Ltd