Cinema to cut ticket prices
Cost comes down after complaints
SINCE its opening in 2012, Llanelli’s Odeon cinema has been criticised for charging film fans on average £10 a ticket - nearly double the price of other nearby cinemas.
But it seems that the cinema group have listened to their customers’ requests and cut the prices by almost 50%.
The town’s Odeon has long come under fire for charging guests on average £9.50 per standard ticket - nearly double the price they would pay 30 minutes up the road in the Swansea theatre and £2 more than the average UK ticket price.
The theatre also racked up the price for any movies that were deemed blockbuster hits charging an additional £2 for muchanticipated movies such as the recent Toy Story 4.
But the cinema group have confirmed that tickets have been cut indefinitely.
“We are pleased to confirm that ticket prices are now £5 all day, every day at Odeon Llanelli,” said a spokeswoman.
Additional charges will still apply to 3D screenings, premier seats and an online booking charge of 75p will still occur, like many other cinema chains.
Llanelli residents were angered by Odeon’s pricing policy in which prices vary from location to location and asked the company for a change in ticket prices.
Resident Carys Jones, aged 24 said: “Every time I pass the Llanelli cinema it is almost empty or really quiet because it’s so expensive.”
Town councillor Sion Davies argued the pricing was due to a lack of competition as the Odeon is currently the only cinema in the town: “They think they can charge whatever they like but actually, by lowering their prices, they’d probably get more people buying tickets and they’d turn a larger profit.”
The additional charge for “blockbuster” films has also been lifted, with a standard, general price now operating regardless of film or screening time.
Llanelli film fans have posted across social media to express their satisfaction.
Richard Davies, 36, said: “It’s great that Odeon has decided to reduce the cost of tickets, matching the prices of Swansea.
“Hopefully, it means more people, especially families, can enjoy a night out at the cinema without breaking the bank,” added the Llangennech resident.
This comes as Carmarthen’s Vue cinema cut their prices in half last week after a backlash and a year-long campaign from cinema-goers.
The Carmarthen theatre lowered their prices from £9-£11 to £4.99 per admission price - the same price charged at Vue cinemas in Swansea, Cwmbran and Merthyr Tydfil.