Dome Cinema

Opened as the Kursaal, the ground floor was a rink for roller skating, with a hall above used as an electric cinema. In 1911 the main hall was used for cinema and the upper hall used for refreshments, and later, bingo.

The building is brick, stuccoed at the front, with a prominent tall domed octagonal tower with cupola. Each side of the tower has two semi-circular windows, one above the other. The main façade has a row of arched windows. The body of the hall lies behind and extends for a considerable distance.

The entrance foyer contains the original wooden paybox, patterned terrazzo floor and wood-panelled dados. The auditorium has the character of a music hall, there being narrow balconies on each side. It has opulent plasterwork and ceiling domes with original light fittings.There is a stage house.

The Dome is the most complete example of a building of its type, and said to be amongst one of the ten finest buildings on the South Coast. Run until early 1999 on a short lease, the building was in need of repair and was closed. Its future was at risk, but thanks to tremendous local support, including a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, repairs were undertaken and the building reopened as a cinema.