OUT IN THE FIELD: Let’s try and save Curzon Cinema from closure
Such sad news that the Curzon Cinema in Langney Road may be forced to close at the end of next summer because of a lack of customers. I was actually an ABC Minor at the neighbouring cinema round the corner in Pevensey Road where you could get in for free if it was your birthday and sing along to the old Pearl & Dean advert. But like most people of my age, I also used to frequent the Curzon as it became in 1970 after it was originally called the Picturedrome for 50 years. I think my Dad took me to see Flash Gordon there way back when. Some might say it was inevitable the Curzon would close with Cineworld moving from the Harbour site to the town centre. But I and many others have had conversations about the cinema being taken over and turned into a kind of Picturehouse type of venue with a cafe, bar or restaurant alongside events for all the community as well as films. It’s been done in other places so why not Eastbourne? Surely somebody or some organisation could take it on as a community interest company or such like and turn its fortunes around. Just look at the great success story Eastbourne’s Royal Hippodrome Theatre has become after years in the doldrums. It would be such a dreadful waste to see the Curzon closed down, demolished and replaced with yet another ugly soul-less block of flats.