Demolition of Littlehampton Harvester almost complete following blaze

The Windmill cinema and theatre remain closed as demolition work on the Harvester restaurant is carried out

Demolition work is almost complete on the remains of a restaurant that was ravaged by fire in August.

Fire engulfed the Harvester restaurant in Coastguard Road, Littlehampton, forcing the closure of the historic Windmill cinema next door.

The owners of the Harvester said they were "committed" to building a new restaurant on the site.

Arun District Council and the owners of the Windmill said they aim to reopen the cinema and theatre in March 2024.

Work to demolish the restaurant began in October.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex, one local resident said it was a "bitter end" for the restaurant, as it was a "popular place" for Littlehampton residents.

Another resident said: "Hopefully it's going to be something for the community that goes back up there, rather than flats."

The restaurant's owners, Mitchells & Butlers, said they "really appreciated" the local community's interest in the site's future.

The company also confirmed it was committed to rebuilding the restaurant, but it said the development process "will take some time".

Discussions had been held over a possible "partial reopening" of the cinema in the short term, the local council said.

"But it was clear that this was not a possibility," it added.

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