QYPE*

What can one say? This is pretty much like any other Odeon multiplex cinema. It’s part of the complex adjacent to the Brighton Centre, and now has a large (and separately operated) bar complex beneath it. As modern buildings of its type go, it’s not the worst, but it definitely doesn’t work in what is a prime town centre/seafront location.

The interior is a warren of mezzanines and stairs, all decked out in the corporate colours with blue patterned carpets and cream walls. There are 8 screens in all, all of which except for screen 7 are wheelchair accessible (ie level access via lifts) and and have wheelchair spaces.

On the ground floor there is a shop and snack bar selling confectionery and popcorn, and from 17:30h daily there is a licensed bar open to patrons only. This actually has stunning views of the seafront, but they don’t seem to make much of it (a badly placed pillar doesn’t help, but you still feel it is a missed opportunity).

The film choice is your standard Hollywood blockbuster, and it doesn’t stray far from this tried and tested formula. The staff seem pleasant and efficient enough, and some of the screens are quite large, which is good for recent releases.

Prices are standard for non-London cinemas, with single adult tickets at £6 off peak and £7 at peak times (roughly week-day evenings and week-end afternoons and evenings). There are all sorts of discounts and concessions listed on the website.

One advantage of the central location is that it is very easy to get to by public transport: the main Churchill Square bus stops are 5 minutes away, the railway station 10 minutes, and adjacent are the huge multi-storey car parks of the Churchill Centre.

For performances with advertised start times of 17:30h onwards, customers using the Churchill Centre NCP 1 or 2 car parks get the first three hours free, provided they get their car park ticket validated by cinema staff. (This does not apply to the Russell Square NCP car park).