Two firms vie to operate Bognor proposed theatre venue

Openworld International Group is in the running with the Bognor's Regis Centre's operator, Arun Arts, to operate the building's replacement.

As well as managing Bournemouth Pier for the local council, Openwide also runs two theatres for local authorities among its work as Europe's largest entertainment management consultancy.

One is the 510-seat Pavilion Theatre on Cromer Pier in North Norfolk. The other is Felixstowe's Spa Pavilion Theatre with 904 seats.

The local Arun Arts charity, in its present structure, has made a success of running the Regis Centre since it re-opened the building and its 365-seat Alexandra Theatre in June 2006.

The two contenders' detailed proposals for the future of live and screen entertainment in Bognor are being considered by a procurement group.

Its members come from Arun and Bognor councils, developer St Modwen, the Vision community group and Locum Consulting.

They will decide which of the final two parties is the best to operate the film and performance venue '“ featuring a cinema, flexible performing arts space and conference facilities '“ seen as the best hope for a self-funding attraction.

A third hopeful on the shortlist, Everyman, has withdrawn from the selection process. The company said the timing and its current new business prospects meant it did not wish to be considered.

Sean Young, Locum Consulting's managing director, said: "We have been hugely impressed by the depth of the proposals and details provided by Openwide and Arun Arts.

"We believe we must be given the fullest time possible to properly assess their submissions and allow them the opportunity to present their ideas as fully as possible."

This means the timetable for the operator to be selected has been pushed back from the end of this month.

It is now likely that the preferred operator will be chosen by district councillors in July.

Cllr Norman Dingemans, who chairs Arun's Bognor Regis subcommittee, said: "It is very important that we make the best possible selection. If that means we take more time over it, then so be it. We owe it to the shortlisted operators to give their submissions our fullest consideration but also to the people of Bognor to ensure that they receive the best entertainment centre possible.

"We are positive this will happen as the proposals we have seen so far are of the highest quality and will, we believe, bring a unique venue to Bognor."

Seven companies submitted expressions of interest in running the new centre. These were reduced to three by the procurement group in March.