Over half a century since the last screening, cinema has returned to the Art Deco‑style Selsey Pavilion in West Sussex this summer.
Over one hundred guests attended the June premiere of ‘Selsey Pavillion – The Journey So Far’, a 25-minute documentary created by local young people which tells the story of the Pavillion’s history, and the hard work done by those bringing the building back to life for community benefit.
Behind this milestone lies the Selsey Pavilion Trust, which acquired the building in February 2024 to preserve its iconic 1913 structure for future generations. Supported by the Community Ownership Fund, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF), Garfield Weston, Swire Groups and local councils, the Trust has focused on essential safety upgrades and the restoration of the historic Art Deco façade. A recent £17,500 AHF grant is funding structural engineering works, updated layout designs, and made improvements to accessibility and sustainability by creating a heritage hub behind the main hall.
A highlight was the return of 35 mm projection, made possible by the BBC Repair Shop team—Mark Stuckey, Angelina Bakalarou, and Chris Shaw. Earlier this year, the team carefully restored the Pavilion’s vintage Westrex projector, as well as items from the Selsey Pavillion’s archives.
Over the past year, the Trust has organised community mornings, welcomed neighbours and shared memories of classic screenings, upgraded Chaplin’s Coffeehouse, and installed vintage film posters depicting screenings from the cinema’s past. These grassroots initiatives reflect a broader vision: to transform the Pavilion into a versatile arts and heritage centre, hosting performances, exhibitions, talks, and community events.
Watch the Selsey Pavillion documentary here: Cinema Returns to the Pavilion After 50 years!
