There has been a cinema on the Cyprus Road site in Burgess Hill since 1919 and the current cinema was built in 1928 by local builders to an Art Deco design. Cinemas of this period are rare as are independent cinemas which have lost out to large multiplexes.

There are strong rumours that Mid Sussex District Council want to sell the Cyprus Road car park for retail development and interest has been expressed by Sainsbury to build a superstore. If this happens there is a risk that the cinema will have to be demolished to make way for the superstore and its road infrastructure. This would result in the loss of a much loved Burgess Hill landmark and also a leisure facility that provides affordable entertainment to many people.

It is not only important to keep cinema alive in Burgess Hill but also to protect our town's history and heritage which is why (regardles of our views on developing the Cyprus Road car park) we do not want to see The Orion demolished.