A film club has criticised the costs of cinema ticket card ‘booking fees’ after Notts TV research highlighted the stark differences between local cinema venues.
The average UK cinema ticket price is £7, without all the added extras like the cost of popcorn and a drink, which can set you back another £5 per person.
So a trip to some theatres can soon become a pricey – and some venues charge what is called a ‘booking fee’ when people buy tickets with a credit or debit card online.
This ‘admin’ or ‘booking’ fee can cost up to 70p per person, which can soon add up when taking the family to the flicks.
I find it offensive
Nottingham has a range of cinemas in the city, all ranging in price and owned by different leisure operators.
We booked tickets online at five of the best known – and three of them charged a fee for doing so.
Cinema ticket online ‘booking’ and ‘admin’ fees at Nottingham city cinemas;
Cineworld, which is based Nottingham’s Cornerhouse, charges the most at 70p per person, for what they call an ‘admin fee’.
Independent cinema Broadway, in Hockley and Odeon, which has locations in Mansfield and Newark don’t charge any fees and Odeon says on its website that “the prices shown are the prices you pay. No fees will apply”.
Matt Turpin, Founder of the Beestonian Film Club said: “Cinemas can be very clinical places, so I prefer independent cinemas. I find it offensive that they can charge an extra fee at the end of the transaction, by which point most people give up and will pay it because they can’t be bothered to go through the long booking process again.”
The Beestonian Film Club, which has been running from Café Roya for four years, often shows local films.
What’s a typical adult cinema ticket price?
Cineworld £9.79
Broadway £8.20
Showcase £7.85 (off peak) £9.95 (peak)
Odeon £8.25
The Savoy £6.00
(all prices are for one adult, excluding discounts, loyalty clubs, students and concessions)
A Cineworld spokesperson said: “At Cineworld, our priority is to offer customers a great cinema experience and good value for money. The booking fee means we can continue to invest in our remote ticketing channels which provide a valuable service to our customers.
“Customers who want to avoid this fee can book in person and Cineworld continues to offer special promotions to its customers, including Unlimited, CEA carers and Movies for Juniors, who will all be exempt from fees. MyCineworld customers will still receive a discount when booking online.”
Showcase Cinema De Lux in Nottingham, who charge 60p transaction fees, did not respond to a request for comment.
