Films, theatre, jazz, comedy, bingo: Our only cinema enters a new era

Philip Cotterill, owner of Western Road restaurant Redstack, plans to open the venue as a cinema, theatre, bingo hall and jazz club.

It will be called Redstack Playhouse '“ a name chosen to "marry with the past and look to the future".

Plans have been submitted to Rother District Council seeking to change the use of the building from a cinema to a multi-purpose entertainment venue.

These are expected to come before councillors on August 19.

If planning permission is granted, Mr Cotterill will take up his option of a 20-year lease and set to work on renovating the building immediately.

The post which litters the entrance to the building was pushed aside as Mr Cotterill opened the door for the Observer on Wednesday.

In a guided tour of the building Mr Cotterill spoke vividly of his dreams for the business and told how he believes it will bring a new sense of life to the town.

He said he will invest 100,000 of his own money into equipment alone '“ half on a state-of-the-art projector.

The present projector no longer works and the sound system is non-existent.

The age of the building and its history as a theatre and cinema are clearly evident and Mr Cotterill has no doubt that the "wow factor" of the auditorium is a major plus.

Door after door opens to a series of out-dated machinery '“ all of which will have to be replaced.

The plan is to open for business as soon as possible and then renovate the building in stages.

Current plans are for the first-floor of the building but Mr Cotterill could only secure a lease for the whole property.

Although the first-floor auditorium is in a good condition with barely a cobweb in sight, the ground-floor is in serious need of work.

Stagnant water fills a pit where the stage used to be and birds have taken to nesting in the roof.

Guests have to duck their heads as they enter via the right-hand entrance to avoid the old woodwork which hangs precariously from the rafters.

Daylight shines through from the floor above.

It is likely to be a couple of years before this space is ready for use and Mr Cotterill is under no illusion as to the size of the task in question.

He even doubts if the ground floor will ever be used again.

One thing is for sure though - the front of the building will remain unchanged.

Additional seats will be added, increasing the capacity of the auditorium from 156 to 220.

Subject to licence, a new auditorium bar will serve alcohol to patrons before and after a performance and during the interval.

The proposed timetable has bingo on a Wednesday; theatre on a Friday and Saturday; and jazz on a Sunday. Films, live music, and comedy fill the remaining days.

Hollywood blockbusters will be shown as they are released while art-house classics will cater for the venue's traditional patrons.

With suggested opening hours of midday to 11pm, there will also be time for matinees.

Mr Cotterill is already starting his recruitment campaign.

He is seeking an experienced projectionist, a bingo caller, live musicians and ushers.

Applicants can drop their curriculum vitae into the restaurant.

The new venture will complement his existing Western Road business. Tickets for the playhouse will be sold at the restaurant with some exclusive deals for diners.

But if all goes to plan and effective use is made of the building it could be more than just Redstack that benefits - the surrounding businesses may cash in on the increased footfall and local residents will have another place to whittle away their evenings and weekends.

Mr Cotterill urged all residents in favour of the re-launch to write to the council making their opinions known.