New Cinema Opening In Wimbledon

[Ms Thrifty]

Just got this week's Curzon e-mail, which excitedly announces the opening of a new cinema in Wimbledon called "HMVCurzon" as part of the two companies' new joint venture. All sort of technical info about the facilities, which is over my head, and members can apply for a free preview screeing of "Fantastic Mr Fox". There's already a large Odeon in Wimbledon, so they must think there's a specialist market, but what a shame they couldn't open somewhere which currently has no cinema at all.

[superhero]

HMV going into cinemas? Well they're certainly not making much money these days selling CDs...

[Ms Thrifty]

Perhaps they hope to sell some in this new cinema? Curzon Soho sells DVDs, so it would only be an extension of that business.

[superhero]

Hmm...that would be good synergy! but cinemas are doing bad business these days. I am always going to the ones in Central London and they always seem so empty! Vue West End, Odeons....Maybe it's because I am not going on a Friday, Saturday night and p*ying! Then again, who wants to be in Leicester Sq on a Friday, Saturday night....
(well, I guess me! Since I am going to be there watching Zombieland this friday...)

[Beate]

They are not doing bad business. In fact, they are busier than ever I heard. Try going to the cinema on a Saturday night without having prebooked. I have given up on that a long time ago and try to go at times that aren't that busy.

[superhero]

Really? I used a cinema voucher on an early Weds night recently for Final Destination 3D at Vue West End in the 1st week of the film opening, there were about 7 people in the cinema! Then again, you would expect that for a horror film, wouldn't you, Beate! hehe...

[Ms Thrifty]

The central London peak cinema prices really are wince-making. Even off-peak, some, e.g. the Apollo, are still very expensive - albeit luxurious in that particualr instance. When OH and I went to the preview of "Away We Go" at Cineworld Haymarket, we could see people, b*ying tickets for other films there, almost literally reeling (no pun intended) when told the cost - but then, if you knew, surely you simply wouldn't go. Who does p*y these prices and how can they afford it?

[Beate]

Tourists who only know central London?

[Ms Thrifty]

Just had a Curzon mailshot about this - and they are still advertising free (members') tickets to a "Fantastic Mr Fox" preview on Sunday 18 October. There was an article about the opening in last week's "Time Out" and it looks as though this cinema will be having its own dedicated magazine (other Curzon cinemas share one, but this is HMVCurzon, not Curson alone), as the first was enclosed. Some of the admission prices are surprisingly low, too - they said they would undercut the nearby Odeon at times and it seems they will: for instance, early birds (before noon) are £5, or £4 for members.

[tilly]

Where are they planning on opening the new cinema in wimbledon?