Have your say: A night out at the cinema could cost twice as much

Alexandra Gregg • Published 31 Jan 2013 12:30 6 Comments

ODEON Bracknell is planning to renegotiate parking costs at The Peel Centre following threats that customers will boycott the cinema.

This comes after the new system - introduced by car park owner Land Securities on January 7 - has forced motorists to stump up more £10 if they stay for more than four hours, even if they are using The Point's leisure facilities.

Previously parking was free if using Odeon or Hollywood Bowl, however Land Securities insist this was down to a "glitch in the system".

NB: The car park is neither owned or run by Odeon.

Have you been hit by the four hour £10 charge - more than a cinema ticket (£9.30) or two bowling games (£10.50)?

What other issues have you faced at The Peel Centre car park or do you think the new system is an innovative change?

For the full story pick up a copy of this week's Bracknell News. Comment below or email news@bracknellnews.co.uk

Tweet

This article appeared in Bracknell News 31 Jan 13

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  Glen1977
  2 posts
  Jan 31, 13:14
  Report comment

  The Odeon in Bracknell is in real need of refurbishment, has it been updated since it opened? Now with Cineworld opening a new 'state-of-the-art' cinema soon (hopefully!) where does this leave Odeon in Bracknell? Closure I'd say, as the town isn't big enough for 2 cinemas.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 11     No 0

• 

  morticha
  1 post
  Jan 31, 16:05
  Report comment

  The end is near for Odeon I fear, car park issues and Bracknell regeneration with Cineworld such ashame as its been in Bracknell for ages. Agree with Glen1977
  
  Recommend?   Yes 4     No 1

• 

  Carol64
  1 post
  Jan 31, 20:10
  Report comment

  I thought we were in the process of starting the regeneration of Bracknell, in order to bring people from outside of Bracknell into it and use the facilities that will be here. With the new car parking system you will definetly not get anyone coming in and the residents that live here will be going further afield for their activities i.e. Cinema at Camberley, Winnersh, Reading. I have lived here for 54 years and as a pensioner definetly do not have £10 to spend on car parking if I want a meal and then cinema at the Point. When are you going to start putting your loyal residents first. Carol
  
  Recommend?   Yes 4     No 0

• 

  Scooby41
  10 posts
  Feb 1, 00:01
  Report comment

  I went to the pictures twice last weekend.
  
  Friday: Pouring with rain on leaving and decided to pay online (by 23.59 the following day). Website down all Saturday evening. Called at 23.00. Option 2 is payment, but tells you to dial back on the same number in office hours. Option 3 goes through to Manchester who cannot help as all the details are held in London. The chap apologised and said there had been some confusion at the "that site". I had to make a third call on Monday.
  
  Sunday: Queued for 5 mins, only to find the machine was only taking cash. Had to walk back to the car to get change and then queued for another 10 minutes.
  
  Only paid £1.50 each time, but after all that malarky, I won't be going to the Odeon anytime soon. I will just travel the extra 5 minutes to the Showcase in future. A number of people in the queue in front of me were saying exactly the same.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 4     No 0

• 

  Glen1977
  2 posts
  Feb 1, 10:37
  Report comment

  I like to watch a film in comfort in nice, clean surroundings and with seats properly 'tiered' which is why I hardly ever use the Odeon in Bracknell as it's none of these. From their point of view it's probably not worth spending millions refurbishing it with a larger brand new cinema on their doorstep opening in the next couple of years. I think Odeon will no doubt eventually close because of lack of custom. Let's be honest the vast majority of people will prefer to go to a new cinema with an array of new restaurants next door wouldn't they?
  
  Recommend?   Yes 5     No 0

• 

  timespassing
  22 posts
  Feb 5, 17:20
  Report comment

  I think the owners of the car park are taking a big gamble as they can only collect fees or penalty charges from the driver of the car. If the registered owner of an overstaying car cannot remember who was driving their vehicle and it left the car park without paying there is nothing in law the car park company can do to enforce what they see as a debt. Also, contrary to the "News" report they cannot fine you. Fines are the province of our courts and not private companies out to make a fast buck.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 2     No 1

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.

Follow @bracknellnews