The restoration of the renowned Dome cinema on Worthing seafront could be in doubt despite a massive lottery cash pledge.
Campaigners said the Dome in Worthing must raise £250,000 by the end of this year to unlock £1.8 million in Heritage Lottery Fund cash.
Now the Dome, which has a further pledge of £200,000 from English Heritage, is launching a major fund-raising campaign to raise the money it needs before December 31.
Belle Stennett, managing director of the Dome and chairman of Worthing Dome and Regeneration Trust, said: "It has been harder than we thought to raise the money we need to enable us to receive our lottery grant, so the help of all those who enjoy using the Dome would be greatly appreciated."
The first goal is to raise about £12,000 for a second screen to go upstairs in the space once occupied by the dance hall and bingo hall.
There are also plans to install an exhibition charting the Dome's history from early days as a skating rink through its current use as a first-release cinema.
The Just A Pound collection box scheme is already under way and is looking for more volunteers to distribute collection boxes to pubs, clubs and shops.
Staff are planning a year-long series of special events which will involve all sections of the community.
There will be a quiz night in March and the Queen's Golden Jubilee will be marked with exhibitions, fetes and a Jubilee Gala Night.
Belle Stennett said: "Anyone who is interested in what we are doing are is welcome to get in touch with us and we will let them know when our next volunteers' meeting is.
"The Dome is more than bricks and mortar. If nobody cared about coming here, it wouldn't be worth staying at the heart of the community."
Staff are compiling a collection of memories of the cinema over its 90-year history. The most interesting and revealing stories will go in a book sold to raise funds.
For further information ring 01903 214509.
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