Cinema price rise to fund seating improvements

Prices at the Pickaquoy Centre’s Phoenix Cinema are set to rise as part of an effort to raise enough money to improve the facility.

From June 5, the ticket price of all film screenings will increase by 50p, with event screenings such as National Theatre and Royal Opera House shows also increasing by £1, bringing the price of a standard cinema ticket up to £7.60.

However, the trust has said that 50p from every ticket sold will be go towards a new Cinema Development Fund, which will be used to improve the cinema’s facilities.

The first project earmarked for the fund is upgrading the cinema’s seats.

The Pickaquoy Centre Trust today announced both its regular annual price increase for the leisure centre, as well as changes to the cinema’s price structure.

Another change is that all film screenings on Saturdays and Sundays will now be charged at standard rates, and off peak rates will only apply before 5pm Monday to Friday.

Senior Cinema Projectionist Victoria Rhodes said: “While our ticket prices are going up we have tried to keep these as competitive as we can, while bringing the Phoenix into line with normal standard and off-peak cinema pricing structures. We are still one of the cheapest cinemas in Scotland, and feel our prices are fair for the service we provide.

“The Cinema Development Fund is also a very exciting new project. One of the most common comments we get from customers is that our seats aren’t as comfortable as they could be, but unfortunately we don’t have the funds to replace these outright so had to think of ways to raise the money. As well as putting 50p from every ticket sold into this fund, we will be adding money raised from our regular poster sales and other fundraising activities – watch out for updates on this over the next few months.

“We hope our customers will support us as we continue to develop the Phoenix Cinema and make it as good as it can possibly be for the whole community.”