Following recent renovations the Strand Multiplex Cinema now has eight different screens. Any visitor coming to the city for the first time would be fooled into thinking it was a well facilitated cinema, but anyone who lives here knows better.
The large multiplex cinema should be able to cater for the cinematic needs of anyone with any film preference, but unfortunately it doesn't come close.
The main problem with the cinema is it's complete lack of competition. It simply lacks competitive prices or any incentive to lower them. Every so often ticket prices seem to creep up, especially for over-fifteens.
Although the cinema does try to offer some special deals, for the most part you still end up paying a ridiculously high price for snacks of any kind.
What is more annoying however is that you are not even allowed to bring food in that you have bought elsewhere. If you haven't enough money you're left with the choice of letting your stomach rumble all through the film, or else try to secretly sneak something in from the near by Tescos.
I think the cinema should also offer more art house or independent films, so that film fans have a wider choice to choose from.
At the moment independent films only get played in the Strand Multiplex during the Foyle film festival in Derry. Even if it was only one night a month, it would be a great improvement.
The cinema's owners need to realise that not everyone, especially young people, are able to pay the prices they are asking.
The cinema and films are a big part of many young people's lives. It can be a thoroughly enjoyable and educational experience, and it is one of the few sources of entertainment available to us in this city.
Speaking from the view point of a teenager, you only have to look at the cinema in Letterkenny to realise it is leagues ahead of the Strand cinema, and perhaps further development is needed.
About this article
This article was written by Damien McLaughlin, 14, and published in the Derry Sunday Journal.
