Stop ripping off city film-goers
Movie fans tell Vue’s bosses to play fair on ticketing prices
Scores of people have expressed outrage at news that a cinema chain are charging movie fans in Stirling more than anywhere else in the country.
The Observer reported last week that Vue were pricing standard adult tickets up to £7 more in the city than in Inverness, Aberdeen, Livingston and Hamilton.
It was also revealed that prices in Edinburgh and Glasgow were cheaper than Stirling.
Vue put this down to a “dynamic pricing policy” they operate which they say enables them to charge different costs across different venues.
Our story was uploaded to the Observer’s social media channels on Friday and since then almost 300 people have had their say.
Some aired their disbelief that moviegoers in Stirling were being given a raw deal while others went as far as to say they’ll not be back until things change.
There were even some who claimed it is cheaper for families to travel to Perth or Falkirk to catch the newest movies.
Melanie Palmer posted on Facebook: “I won’t be going. I’d rather travel than pay the price they are asking.”
Emeline Bonner Campbell commented: “It is the most expensive cinema I’ve ever been in. Will NOT be back.”
Tracey Toher wrote: “I was going to go but I think I’ve changed by mind.” And Veronica Korkut added: “Stopped going to Vue a while back. Prices are shocking.”
Many people were also unhappy with the explanation given by the cinema chain when asked why there was a difference in prices across venues. Lynne Alexander posted: “How can they justify their ‘dynamic pricing policy’? Same movies, food and conditions.”
Michelle Robertson said: “Prices are ridiculous. Pure greed.”
And Andrea Strang commented: “Cost me just shy of £50 for an adult, two kids and some snacks. That’s why we only go about twice a year.”
Emeline Bonner
A comparison carried out by the Observer found that a standard adult ticket for a movie at the Stirling cinema cost £12.47 compared to £5.74 in Hamilton, Aberdeen, Inverness and Livingston.
Prices in Edinburgh, at the Omni Centre and Ocean Terminal, are £6.74 while in Glasgow they are £10.79.
When made our way to the cinema at Forthside this week to ask people what they thought, we were not surprised to hear more opposition to the pricing policy.
Jill McLachlan was visiting the city with her teenagers Holly (16) and Ben (13) and she said: “It is really expensive – especially if we were all to go as a family. The prices do put me off. I think it would have to be a really, really good film for us to pay those prices.”
Grant Keenan was joined by daughters Amy (15) and Rachael (12) and while they admitted that they take advantage of some special offers at the cinema, Grant was left baffled by the price increases over the years.
He said: “It is cheaper on a Monday but the prices have gone way up.
“Although it was 20-years ago when my wife and I started going out, we could go to the cinema, get some sweets and popcorn, all for £10.
“Now you’re talking around £40 probably.”
It’s the most expensive cinema I’ve ever been in