Big screen on Brighton beach to show Olympic action (From The Argus)

Big screen on Brighton beach to show Olympic action

4:20pm Saturday 30th June 2012 in News By Tim Ridgway , Local government reporter

BRITAIN’S Olympic triumphs and tears will be celebrated by tens of thousands of people on Brighton beach.

Sports fans will be able to flock to the city’s seafront to see their heroes emblazoned on a 100 square foot screen throughout the London 2012 Games.

Atmosphere The giant outdoor LED television, which will show continuous footage of competition in the capital, will be the largest free outdoor cinema on the south coast.

The screen will be on the lower promenade next to Brighton’s West Pier and opposite the Hilton Metropole hotel.

A public area, holding up to 3,500 people, will offer a grandstand view of the Games with the atmosphere of a live crowd.

There will also be a fully licensed refreshment area.

Geoffrey Bowden, the chairman of Brighton and Hove City Council’s culture committee, said: “This will be a brilliant addition to our seafront attractions and should be a boost to trade in the area.

“It’s a great opportunity to watch the Games in a |convivial, communal setting without the need to travel |to London or bid for|tickets.”

The screen will be in place from July 27 to August 12.

Footage from the Olympics will be shown during the day from 10am, with films, comedy and music events shown until 10pm.

Among those already |lined up are Star Wars, Avatar, Finding Nemo and Titanic.

Excited It is the idea of Bill Murray, of Hove-based Murray|Media, and Colin Brace, of sustainability company Boho Green.

In a joint statement, the pair said: “We are extremely excited about Brighton’s Big Screen project.

“We think it will be a great addition to the seafront and a great opportunity to watch the Games and classic blockbuster movies on the beach this summer.”

Other resorts will also install big screens throughout the Games, which are unlikely to return to the country in living memory.

Eastbourne Borough Council has confirmed it will show the Games on a television in the town’s Princes Park from July 27.

The event culminates in an Airbourne airshow on August 9 to 12 with fire-|works at the Sunday night finale.

l Do you think a big screen on the beach is a good idea? Tell us at theargus.co.uk