‘Conspiracy’ claims at Litlehampton’s Windmill debate

The Littlehampton Civic Society's secretary, Angela Tester, hands over the petition box to councillor Paul Dendle, in February

It was almost standing room only as scores of people packed the public gallery of Arun’s council chamber last Wednesday (May 15), to witness the crucial debate on the Littlehampton Civic Society’s petition urging Arun’s full council to bring films back to the Windmill.

They saw councillors agree to allow the possibility of investment from commercial organisations at the site, as long as an arrangement could be reached between Windmill operator and current leaseholder, Inspire Leisure.

During the meeting Liberal Democrat councillor Dr James Walsh blamed Arun leader, Conservative Gill Brown, chief executive, Nigel Lynn, and cabinet member responsible for leisure provision, Paul Dendle, for sealing the cinema’s fate last July, when they agreed a change in Inspire’s list of core activities – removing cinema and theatre provision from the charitable trust’s obligations.

Dr Walsh said this decision had been made behind closed doors and no other councillors were even aware of it until the details were leaked after the cinema closed, in February.

He said: “This at best is hugely disingenuous and at worst a deliberate obfuscation that Arun had agreed to remove cinema and theatre from the core activities six months previously.

“So, of course, Inspire Leisure ceased heavily advertising the Windmill cinema, it did not purchase digital projection equipment and what happened? Patronage fell, leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy.

“By my definition, and I will say this loud and clear, the leader of this council Mrs Brown, councillor Dendle and the chief executive officer Nigel Lynn connived and colluded in the closure of the Windmill cinema.”

However, Mr Dendle – who became visibly frustrated by heckles from audience members during his rebuttals – argued the Windmill was a “loss-leader” and in spite of the alterations Arun made to Inspire’s obligations, it was ultimately Inspire’s decision to axe the facility.

For the full story plus a special feature, pick up this week’s Gazette (Thursday, May 23).