Why Is West India Quay So Popular?

[Ms Thrifty]

I had been wondering this, so after reading Annej's post about Surrey Quays, felt emboldened to ask: why is WIQ so popular? Whenever I look at the Organiser, if WIQ is one of the London options, it always seems to have more members due to attend than any other - though of course, not everyone chooses to be included so this may give a distorted impresssion. But is there some reason, such as that it's a particularly pleasant cinema, or easy to reach from a wide area or what? The same certainly doesn't apply to any north or west London venues, for instance.

[Beate]

It's the cinema nearest to me and it has got flipping good screens. The ushers are mostly useless but you can live with that. You can easily reach it from Central London on the DLR or Jubilee Line and it's only a short walk from the station. It's got some nice restaurants nearby as well.

The real reason for attendance being high is often enough though that it is the only Cineworld cinema remotely central and accessible - Haymarket or something is great but Wandsworth is only good if you live around there.

[superhero]

It's not popular with me! It's abit way out and not central london, but for some screenings it's sometimes all they offer for "central london". There used to be more screenings in central london (West End). Remember the Odeon Plaza?

[Beate]

Yeah, for Central London they really only have Cineworld Haymarket and Shaftesbury Avenue. Can't say I like Shaftesbury very much. I love WIQ as it's so close to home so after the film I only have a short way to travel, and it is a nice, modern cinema with a steep incline.

[Ms Thrifty]

So it's a combination of good transport (if you live or work locally) and paucity of choice? I'm glad to hear there are some Cineworlds which do have good screens, because I certainly wouldn't class Haymarket (especially the dungeon downstairs) or Shaftesbury Avenue in that category, let alone Crawley. On the one occasion that I went to Vue Fulham Broadway for a preview, I was impressed by the rake, so maybe it's the newer cinemas which have the steeper angle. The Jubilee Line would be fine if it was working when I wanted to use it, but whenever I've needed it lately it has been shut and so have the alternatives, which makes trying to travel swiftly from one thing to another a nightmare. Wandsworth is a bit isolated but there must be enough custom locally - maybe just not FMUK members.

Where was the Odeon Plaza, Superhero - do you mean the former Plaza on Lower Regent St which is now the Apollo?

[opas]

Yes I think it has something to do with the Cineworlds being so few and far between! It is also one of the few cinemas that come up for East London! We don't get much up this side often having to go south of the river or into central London (which is not the end of the world as the transport links are good in London but it is nice when you can be local - it is so convenient).

There is a Cineworld in Ilford which sometimes comes up but not very often and I think that may have suited some members who end up picking WIQ but could easily get to Ilford (even though it is technically Essex). I have gone on little trips to Wandsworth but it is a mighty effort - especially as the Tube doesn't go there.

I have to agree about the ushers - OMG! Some are beyond useless - I would say even overly obstructive when they don't understand their own procedures for freebie screenings,

[Beate]

So it's a combination of good transport (if you live or work locally) and paucity of choice? I'm glad to hear there are some Cineworlds which do have good screens, because I certainly wouldn't class Haymarket (especially the dungeon downstairs) or Shaftesbury Avenue in that category, let alone Crawley. On the one occasion that I went to Vue Fulham Broadway for a preview, I was impressed by the rake, so maybe it's the newer cinemas which have the steeper angle. The Jubilee Line would be fine if it was working when I wanted to use it, but whenever I've needed it lately it has been shut and so have the alternatives, which makes trying to travel swiftly from one thing to another a nightmare. Wandsworth is a bit isolated but there must be enough custom locally - maybe just not FMUK members.

It depends what screen you get at Haymarket - the big one we got for Up was fantastic!
I actually think there is plenty of choice in my area, there is WIQ, the Picturehouse Greenwich (my fave cinema!), as well as the Odeon and Vue Greenwich, all of which are modern. Central London cinemas are often old with no incline but Greenwich and Docklands have newer cinemas. Also, it's unfortunate about the refurbishment of the Jubilee Line but that is only at the weekends and otherwise, this is the newest and fastest tube line of them all.

[a_person]

I also prefer Cineworld for that reason. It's close to home. Infact, it is the closest cinema to me and I can take the bus or if I weren't so fat and lazy, I could walk it. Also, because alot of my friends work in that area who I sometimes take to screenings with me so it makes it easier to get too. And sometimes I like to go out and relax afterwards, have a hot drink or go to a retaurant and dine in. There are quite a few good restaurants there or not too far from there so it makes it ideal.

Central London is okay but it is at least a half an hour journey for me and if I have to go with friends, there's only one or two willing to come.

Never heard of Odeon Plaza superhero - when did it close? Or is it still open?

[Ms Thrifty]

Central London is okay but it is at least a half an hour journey for me and if I have to go with friends, there's only one or two willing to come.

Ah well, unlike dining alone (see the Food thread), one of the advantages of going to the cinema (or theatre) alone is that you don't have to worry about other people's preferences/locations/tastes/availability, etc.

Months back, on the old site, I asked why so few people seemed to go alone, as I did. A few members responded and said they did; others explained that they didn't feel safe travelling in certain areas, which is a good point, but I still get the impression that most go in couples or even small groups. I now generally book 2 tickets because on the whole, depending on the film, either OH or work friends or both will want to see it, and of course it's up to others as to how they like to do things, but for me, seeing the film of my choice is what matters. alone or accompanied.

[a_person]

Ah well, unlike dining alone (see the Food thread), one of the advantages of going to the cinema (or theatre) alone is that you don't have to worry about other people's preferences/locations/tastes/availability, etc.

Months back, on the old site, I asked why so few people seemed to go alone, as I did. A few members responded and said they did; others explained that they didn't feel safe travelling in certain areas, which is a good point, but I still get the impression that most go in couples or even small groups. I now generally book 2 tickets because on the whole, depending on the film, either OH or work friends or both will want to see it, and of course it's up to others as to how they like to do things, but for me, seeing the film of my choice is what matters. alone or accompanied.

I've never been alone yet. I always feel uncomfortable going alone. There's no one to turn to if/when I don't understand aspects of a film!

In London there are definitely some places I wouldn't travel to on my own either like Wandsworth! I've only once been in a small group because I had two sets of friends who wanted to go otherwise I only just take one friend with me. That's more than enough! I always find myself organising get togethers and dos with my friends that I try my best not to get involved at all!