New Cinema Opening In Wimbledon

[destresserai]

I can only think it will be down at the new complex being built down near the theatre.

All I can say is what a waste of space and money. When I was a kid there were two cinemas in Wimbledon and eventually they had to close one because there was not a demand. Even with cinema attendance being up I still don't believe that there will be enough business for two cinemas in one area particularly as people are far more mobile these days and more willing to travel to nearby Kingston, Sutton and Croydon.

[Ms Thrifty]

No, it's actually upstairs in the HMV shop, but apparently with separate access. I think the public opening date is Friday 23 October. The magazine even had a photo showing the bar menu in the background - that looked more interesting than the film programme! I'd certainly give it a go, but only if I was already somewhere in the general area, because although Wimbledon isn't that far for me, it's a very slow journey by public transport.

[superhero]

I saw on photo of it on the net, it looks quite nice.

[Ms Thrifty]

Yes, all very small, tasteful, exclusive, etc. Posh snacks, plush seating, tiny auditoria.

[superhero]

Still it's strange to see HMV move into the cinema business

[phunkygal]

I read about this in april - its a pilot scheme and they may open many more in hmv stores if it goes well - theres 3 screens so must be a big store!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hmvgetclos ... 624875402/

[Beate]

Found a short piece in today's Standard:
HMV expands with boutique cinema chain
Music retailer HMV is branching into the movie business by opening a chain of boutique cinemas. The first, a three-screen cinema offering arthouse films and a licensed bar, will open on the second floor of HMV's Wimbledon store on Friday. If successful, dozens more could be opened over the next year. HMV's CEO Simon Fox said: "This is the start of something big for us." THe retailer has launched the cinemas with Curzon, in the hope of recouping sales lost due to a drop in CD demand.

[Ms Thrifty]

I tried out this cinema today when I went to the early performance of "An Education" and was delighted by the bargain price of £4! OK, this was the price before noon and for a Curzon member, but even a non-member would only have pa*d £5, and where else in London can you see a film, in a decent cinema, for that price? It wasn't what I'd call luxurious (not compared to the plush Apollo, for instance), but perfectly comfortable. There were only 3 of us in the audience (or maybe 2, given the bizarre behaviour of one man), so I hope HMVCurzon don't axe the early shows for lack of support.

[tilly]

I was handed a 2 for 1 voucher for this cinema but when I looked at what films were being shown, I would have seen most of them.
I wonder how big this cinema is?

[Ms Thrifty]

You can check the auditorium size on their website - I can't remember exactly, but the one I was in was bigger than I expected - same size as a normal smaller one at any multiplex.