New Brighton cinema features recliners, reserved seating
In a week, the smell of fresh paint at Landmark Cinemas in the Brighton neighbourhood will switch to something more suitable: fresh popcorn.
It might take some 24-hour days, but the seven-screen theatre will be ready on June 1, Bill Walker, Landmark’s chief executive officer, said Friday. The business is living up to its slogan, which is “reserve, recline, relax.” The signature feature is power leather recliners with footrests — 780 of them made in Canada by Palliser.
Theatre capacity ranges from about 60 to 190 seats.
Physical box office space in the lobby is small, with only two tills. That’s because 50 to 60 per cent of tickets are purchased online. With the mobile app ATOM Tickets, moviegoers can choose their seats hours or days in advance. They don’t have to print their tickets beforehand, just present their phones. They can also preorder snacks and pick them up in an express line.
“Never printing a piece of paper, never ripping tickets, never touching your wallet, never dealing with cash. A really, really cool experience,” said Walker.
This is the first reclining-seat Landmark in the province. Another will open in Regina next year. Landmark feels the market is filled now and isn’t looking at adding another in Saskatoon.
The theatre, located next to Wilson’s Lifestyle Centre, will employ 40 to 50 people part time and three full-time managers.
The theatre will compete with Cineplex, opening with movies like SOLO: A Star Wars Story, Deadpool 2 and Avengers: Infinity War.
“I think competition is always going to spur some innovation and it’s always going to spur a better customer experience,” Walker said.
Prices are set at $12.99 for adults, $9.99 for seniors 65 and older and $8.99 for children. Mondays are seniors’ days with 20 per cent off senior admission and 20 per cent off concessions.
On Tuesdays, all seats are $8.50. There will be weekend screenings before noon for $8.50.
“It’s a great price point and getting up on the weekend and going to a movie at 10:30 in the morning and still having the rest of your day is actually a great way to spend a Saturday or Sunday,” Walker said.