Recently I reviewed Cineworld Unlimited Membership (here). This time I am reviewing the actual Rugby Cineworld location that I visit regularly. A site that has been operating with 9 screens in Rugby since around 2001. Certainly when I first started visiting this site, in 2005, it was still quite new. As the branch is an older cinema now, it is not fitted out completely with modern Cineworld signage and branding fittings. What are my impressions?
I do still really like this cinema location and the customer service team are always very polite, friendly and helpful. A team that aim to please you as the customer and appear to look after the site well. You always see them cleaning up, keeping bins from overflowing and toilets clean etc. The team all appear to like working there and when dealing with queries, they have helped with making reservations, changing seats, cancelling bookings and serving food.
The cinema screens are generally good and most seating within theatres is acceptable. If any issue, I think the seats maybe taken off sale. The theatres are comfortable and clean and audio and visual good. It may not have some of latest sound tech (perhaps?) but still a good experience. Some of the more modern seating and 4DX options are not available as an older site but I really don’t see this as an issue.
Car parking is free and I understand you have up to 6 hours which is plenty for any longer films. Most of the time you can also park quite close to the cinema and it is well lit at night.
The selection of available film times is generally good though no late night movies. It would be good if at least one evening a week showed later night viewing of films. Though I understand it is likely a lack of demand nowadays, as I believe they did use to show later night showings. Or maybe it is just for some more special big blockbusters occasionally.
The site offers a selection of about 9 decent sized 2D screens. As an older site, some of the tech and touch screens more modern branches have in the foyer are not available at this location. (Edit – see end as I have since noticed a couple of touchscreens screens though likely just for unlimited users needing to print tickets). Therefore the staff at the food kiosk deal with screen bookings as well as food offerings. (Do look out for my next review on Cineworld food offerings coming soon).
As the foyer is sizeable in this location, certainly room is available to expand or add new features as it contains a couple of unused spaces (it used to have the arcade and an old booking office). These areas feel like a missed opportunities to maximise business. Appreciating that times are tough for cinema, it would be great to see this space put to better use. Could the spaces be let to businesses that fit within the cinema (if no use to Cineworld)? More sofas and chairs/tables within the foyer would also be ideal as you cannot always get seated when wishing to wait and may break up this large foyer area.
While the outside of the cinema is acceptable, it could do with some more lighting and razzle dazzle to promote the venue and modern signage.
I guess much of the site maintenance is down to budgets and while a fresh lick of paint and investment could be beneficial for business, it of course comes at a cost. But the team do obviously care for the site. Investment is not always an option and I would rather just have the cinema open and available.
For Cineworld unlimited Members who use this location, you will pay group 2 fees and I have just one suggestion. While membership brings many benefits, it does feel that we cannot fully utilise the national restaurant discounts as all the chains advertised are not nearby in our area. Not to say I cannot use when elsewhere but no options in Rugby to eat out at a nearby discounted restaurant. My suggestion would be – could the cinema arrange some local discounts with local independent restaurants? Just advertised on a chalk board for instance naming some local restaurants where local agreements are reached for unlimited members. Easier said than done no doubt but it would add value and help keep members as active members. It’s a shame that the Frankie and Benny’s closed which was near the cinema.
Another positive about the location is how the team attempt to promote films. Local promotion within the foyer and on their FaceBook social media page is good. When using FaceBook messenger they are a little slow but they do respond.
Overall a nice decent facility. So while other Cineworld sites may be newer, there are still a lot of positives for this location. And as a new unlimited member who lives nearby, I do expect to get good value as it is so close to me.
Edit 22-Nov – maybe I missed as tucked away but there does appear to be a couple of touchscreens now! Likely just for unlimited members who use the older plastic cards to print out paper tickets.
Edit Jan 26 – I visited the Cineworld in Ruston Lakes. A modern and fully fitted cinema with 4DX, iMax and more. I have to say I was a little envious as the venue was more destination than just a cinema.
