"LONDON TOPS EUROPEAN CINEMA TICKET PRICES" - DOOCEY

10.57.36am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 18th Oct 2006

As the 50th London Film Festival gets underway tomorrow, research undertaken by Liberal Democrat Culture Spokesperson Dee Doocey, has revealed that cinema ticket prices in London cost three times the European average.

An adult ticket to see a film at the Odeon Leicester Square on a Saturday night costs up to £17.50 compared to an average cost of £4.95 in the ten major European capitals surveyed.

Commenting on the findings, Dee Doocey, said:

"London topping the European price charts is just another case of 'rip-off' Britain. Only here do you need to be earning almost as much as a Hollywood star to afford to see the latest flicks.

'Cinema used to be a popular and cheap form of entertainment, but in London it's fast becoming a luxury few can afford.

'The big screen experience has inspired hundreds of British filmmakers in the past and London is now the third largest film making centre in the world. There are a staggering 15 new British films at this year's festival. But if young people can't afford to go to the cinema, by the time it reaches its next big anniversary, the London Film Festival might not be the showcase of British talent it is today."

ENDS

Notes to the Editors

1. The Mayor is one of London Film Festival's main funders along with the London Development Agency

2. European Cinema Ticket Price Survey:

CITY CINEMA PRICE € PRICE £

Berlin Cinemaxx 8 5.4

Imax 6.7 4.52

Madrid Imax 9 6.08

Circulo de bellas artes 4 2.7

Paris Forum orient express 5 3.37

Gaumont champs elysees ambassade 9.3 6.28

Lisbon Lusomundo Vasco de Gama 5 3.37

Lusomundo Forum Montijo 5.2 3.51

Brussels Vendome 7.5 5

UGC Golden Fleece 8 5.4

Kinepolis 6 4.05

London Odeon Leicester Sq (Sat night) 17.5

Odeon Marble Arch 11

Odeon West End (Leicest Sq) 15

Athens Trianon cinema 7 4.7

Copenhagen Vester Vov Vov 70 DKR 6.32

Grand 75 DKR 6.78

Stockholm Filmstaden Sergel SKR 80 5.82

Biopalatset SKR 70 5.1

Amsterdam Pathe De Munt 9 6.06

Pathe Tuschinski 9 6.06

Rome Warner Village cinemas, Parco di Medici 5.5 3.7

Nuovo Olympia Roma 7 4.71

EUROPEAN AVERAGE 4.95