Pricey cinema ticket costs

In the eyes of the big film exhibition companies, Chichester must be seen as a joke.

What a joke we are. On the one hand we are lucky in our small cathedral city to have a thriving and beautiful independent cinema which hosts the celebrated Chichester Film Festival.

I myself have been attending New Park Cinema for over 20 years.

But on the other hand, our only place to enjoy the big releases, the family films and blockbusters is Cineworld at Chichester Gate. It’s our only choice.

This is a shame because Cineworld is not really a serious place to go and see films, is it? Or at least, the customers are not seen as serious people.

Cineworld – your facilities are good at Chichester. You have IMAX in one screen, and technical problems are resolved swiftly. You have the overpriced confectionary, but that’s standard across the exhibition industry right now. You have some courteous younger staff. .

It’s when one is presented with the ticket prices that the whole experience stops being ‘Enjoy The View’, and instead becomes ‘We hate our customers. Every one of you. We hate you.’.

Cineworld exists, at least in the south of England, and certainly near me in Chichester, with only two competitors.

Vue at Gunwhaf Quays – the film to see tonight is Ad Astra A party of five to see this film will cost me £28.70.

Odeon at Port Solent – also Ad Astra – a party of five to see this film will cost me £28.70.

Cineworld Chichester – also Ad Astra – (not IMAX or ‘deluxe’) a party of 5 to see this film will cost me £51.50.

I like to take my son there. It’s my ‘local’.

The cinema was my main go-to for films. But this ticket price discrepancy is a big, inarguably upsetting issue for anyone on a low income. It’s actually appalling.

Why are its prices not in line with the other chains?

Can I politely ask for a proper answer, not just

‘we believe our prices are competitive’.

These are prices not in keeping with the competition. Who makes the decisions on pricing policy? Are they accountable to anyone else? Is there something exclusively special about Cineworld, if so what is it?

Bognor Picturedome just down the road (seven miles) is £4.50 an adult ticket.

Cineworld, be the grownup at the table.

Stop treating your customers like a joke.

Bring your prices down. W. EGLETON

Brooks Lane, Bosham