HISTORY OF THE UGC AREA
The UGC cinema in Edinburgh is somewhere I frequently go. A couple of years ago in the Gorgie/Viewforth area there was nothing really, not a part of town I ever visited apart from when passing to go into the city centre Then, I hear about Fountainpark being built. ... Read review
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Advantages: the UGC card, comfy, good prices Disadvantages: -
HISTORY OF THE UGC AREA
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The UGC cinema in Edinburgh is somewhere I frequently go. A couple of years ago in the Gorgie/Viewforth area there was nothing really, not a part of town I ever visited apart from when passing to go into the city centre Then, I hear about Fountainpark being built. This is basically an entertainment complex with much to do, the businesses have changed a little e.g. McDonald's is no longer ... ...and if you have the UGC card they give you offers as well. Also once I went with my friend and she didn't have the right money but the woman working there just let her in for cheaper anyway which I thought was very kind as this never happens anywhere I normally go. Also they all seem to enjoy working here.
UGC CARD
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This is always advertised just after the trailers. Basically when I first saw this I noticed the ... more
HISTORY OF THE UGC AREA ______________________ The UGC cinema in Edinburgh is somewhere I frequently go. A couple of years ago in the Gorgie/Viewforth area there was nothing really, not a part of town I ever visited apart from when passing to go into the city centre Then, I hear about Fountainpark being built. This is basically an entertainment complex with much to do, the businesses have changed a little e.g. McDonald's is no longer there but still it can survive. The most famous part about this part used to be the Fountainbridge brewery but now Fountainbridge is a regular hot spot for all ages.
HOW TO GET THERE _______________ The cinema is easy to get to by bus or car. The buses pass along the front these are like the 1 and then going through the tunnel to the back is the 22. I usually get a bus further away then walk down a street down to the cinema. Sometimes I also drive here. The car park is 2 floors you drive round into Fountainpark then go down into the car park. You take a ticket first then drive, park and when you go into the cinema at the right of the ticket desks you insert your ticket into a machine which registers that you are using the car park for cinema use only. This means that when you go back down to the car park paying machine it registers that you don't have to pay, basically it is free for all. There are lots of spaces here and it is easy enough to park. You just go through the doors and up the escalators into the cinema, this is warmer than bussing it.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS _________________ When going into the cinema you go into the complex and there is a sign with the times etc. and all of the current film posters up. Going through the doors you enter the foyer and are instantly hit with the gorgeous smell of popcorn mixed with nachos. The atmosphere is very welcoming and straight ahead is the ticket booths. Behind the ticket desks are screens and they have all of the days film times with the screen number they are showing in beside them. The good thing is that if it is a white square beside it there are seats, yellow if it is limited and red if it is fully booked. They announce it on speakers if there is single seating as I noticed happened with Star Wars the other night I was there. There are about 5 separate desks and you queue up staying behind the rope guard. There is one big queing space and on the right is a separate queue for cardholders which when I go never seems to be open. This is to make them privileged and escape the wait on busier nights.
FOOD ___ After buying your ticket you then turn right and there is the food section. There is the popcorn counter. The large, mediums and kids sizes of popcorn are regularly made and the boxes lie out for you to take, the large costs £3 odds which is pretty good and you can choose between salt or sweet. They have a pick'n'mix section which has a good selection of sweets and I am now an expert at getting the right amount for the money I have. They have Italian ice cream, Haagen Dazs freezers, the smallest tub is about £1.90. You then go to the crisps racks they also have brownie and things here and Walkers Sensations and Maltesers, M&M's. There is then ice lollys, ice creams in another freezer. You also have the cups then you take ice and fill up a drink. After spending minutes choosing your food you proceed to the counter to pay although the way it is set out you could pick food and escape without paying I have heard people boast and no I am not guilty of it. At the counter is where you get the hot foods like hot dogs which are I think £2.80 and nachos also you can get hot nuts.
PROCEEDING TO THE SCREENS ___________________________ There are 13 screens in total each different in its own way. I have been here so many times I think I have been in them all. When you go through you show your ticket and they tell you your screen. Walking through it is nice because it is a long wide corridor and lighting the way are the lit up movie posters of upcoming releases. On your left and right are the screen numbers. Outside of the screen is the number and then it tells you the time the film starts and ends on a TV screen. Other details they tell you which no-one reads unless unlike me you have had to wait outside the screen for the staff to clean are the capacity the screen holds, what sound system they use, the screen size.
With the screens they are always either red, purple or blue. I don't like the red screens as it's a bright bright on your eyes and cheap I feel. The best screens are the ones that hold about 500 you come in through the middle of one and looking down there are seats then if you go left or right and look up there are also plenty of seats. For most screens you come in through the side and walk up to your seats. Usually you can sit where ever you want but on say a Friday night they will seat you. The best screens are screen 1& 13. Screen 1, this is the Extreme screen you come through from the back. The screen is huge and the seats go down and curve round the room it is like a semi circle and the screen is really big also it is proper surround sound in here and makes any film great. Another cinema I like but is smaller so tends to be used less if you go see newer films is the Premier Lounge, screen 13. This is very nice in here you walk through a bar to get here, the bar is only used when parties are on and the seats are curved to make it comfy on your back. If you touch the lever on the chair the chair tilts backwards. There is a mini table on your right and also a footrest. It is a comfortable cinematic experience.
OTHER FACILITIES _____________ I know no-one likes to talk about toilets but here oddly enough the toilets are quite jazzy. They are purple doors and have a star on them with a famous actresses name, in the womens toilets anyway. This is weird and also it is nicely decorated and very clean.
In the foyer if you go upstairs there is a bar/lounge but I have never been in here before. This is just to pass time if you arrive early before a film. Also I do remember when a premier was on and someone famous came they took them up here and no-one was allowed there.
Another thing I like about the cinema is if you arrive early you just grab a copy of the free Unlimited magazine. This is monthly and basically is just a catalogue of all the films coming out and what they have compared them to. You can decide what you want to go see next and also there are some articles in here which pass time by while you wait.
STAFF _____ The staff here I have always known to be very friendly. They are all smartly dressed in their blue shirt and always smile while at the till. I have also noticed that there are more foreigners working here now as well. The staff always tell you about promotions and if you have the UGC card they give you offers as well. Also once I went with my friend and she didn't have the right money but the woman working there just let her in for cheaper anyway which I thought was very kind as this never happens anywhere I normally go. Also they all seem to enjoy working here.
UGC CARD _______ This is always advertised just after the trailers. Basically when I first saw this I noticed the minimum subscription of 12 year part and the fact it was £9.99 a month. So, I thought it was a rip off and that they wanted £120 up front but they don't. You go to the desk in the foyer and a friendly member of staff will help out. They only need a proof of age as you have to be over 18 and a copy of a bank statement. What the card is, is that for £10 you can see an unlimited amount of films a month, if you're a regular cinema goer like me this saves a lot of money and is the only cinema I know of that does this. You get a paper card at first and your photo taken there and then. This is temporary until they send away to UGC France which is where the company is from and just before you temporary card expires then you get the real plastic one. It is direct debit they do it and only take off £10 a month from your account. It makes life easier because with the card they just swipe it and if there are offers at the time you get them when you use the card. Also, you get special previews, get to go into the quicker queue and they send you e-mails on releases and offers.
PRICES ______ You can now book screenings online. They accept Visa, Mastercard, Switch, Delta and American Express. The cost is £3.60 for a child, £5.80 for an adult, £3.60 for a concession, £3.60 for a student and £4 for a family ticket. These are reasonably priced and sometimes with a Snapfax you can get 2 for 1 deals. Also, if you go before 12 noon you get in for £3.30. Personally, I have never booked online but I am sure it will be reliable enough.
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The good thing about this cinema is that it takes part in a lot of European festivals. It also plays a lot of European films that others don't. It did a French film festival this year and also it takes part in the Edinburgh Film Festival etc.
WEBSITE ________ The website is easy to navigate. You just go to the cinema at the top choose Edinburgh then you have all the film times and you can change dates. Also, you can click on the film and find out a summary of the plot, the certificate and the length.
Overall I love going to this cinema. It is convenient, comfortable and beats no other. Having the card is really good as it saves me a lot of money. The UGC is very popular and there are a lot of reason why that is. I have just shown that I am a film geek but if you want more information go to http://www.ugccinemas.co.uk
Advantages: Plenty cinemas, lots of room Disadvantages: Can be busy at nights and weekends
When I lived at home in West Edinburgh, I had to travel a good 10/15 minutes on the bus to get to the nearest cinema. Then one day, years after I had moved out, a new complex was unveiled which was going to contain a UCG cinema. The complex in is Fountainbridge and was named Fountain Park. It is close to Gorgie and Brunstfield and not far from the centre of Edinburgh.
I'd never heard of UCG, but seeing as they had easy underground parking we decided ... ...have always gone here as it has underground parking and if you are there for less than 4 hours there is a special stamped which means that you get free parking and there are a couple of eating places meaning that you can do it all in a oner before heading home. About 18 months ago the cinema underwent a facelift. Though to be truthful I have no idea why. As you enter through the automatic doors, above you head is the list and times of films. I usually ...
Groovee 12.06.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of UGC Cinema
Advantages: Seemingly freebie movies Disadvantages: Getting far too popular
...UGC.
By now the UGC membership system has swept through the nation. The Edinburgh UGC at the Fountainbridge complex is no exception. For a fee of £9.99 month payable by direct debit, with a minimum join up period of 12 months, you get to see as many movies as you can get into. Its a very clever scheme because once you start paying, it seems like going to the movies is free, and anyway cancelling a direct debit is so awkward. (If you don't have a ... ...your card to almost any UGC cinema and use it (the bigger London cinemas being the exception).
Now armed with your card you head eagerly towards the cash desk, eager to see the movie of your choice - and meet the other hundred or so people who have had the same idea (the sea of denim).
This is the big catch. UGC is now the most popular cinema in Edinburgh, and you need to be there pretty early on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday night to get into ...
Psychgirl 04.03.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of UGC Cinema
Advantages: vast selection of new films, comfy seats Disadvantages: price
...taken over by UGC.
UGC offers a wide range of films which are shown on one of their 13 screens and offers maximum comfort! Nice comfy, padded seats and sufficient foot room- and there is rarely any problems when a tall person sits in front of you, the screen is perfectly visible. Excellent.
But with the pleasure comes the pain, which will be felt in your wallet. An adult ticket will set you back £6 and for the children £3. In view of this, Horsham ... ...early and avoid the rush. UGC has a shop offering a selection of magazines, film merchandise, movies and Cds which help to pass time by if you are there early. There is also food and driks on sale, and also a licensed bar- but they are majorly over priced- bring your own food!
For special occasions there is a 'premier suite' but at £12 a ticket I'm not sure this is worth the money. Also for the children there is a service offering parties. UGC cinemas ...
emilystobbs 05.06.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of UGC Cinema
Advantages: Free parking and watch all movies if you like Disadvantages: Minimum subscription of 12 months
I think only those who watched a lot of movies would choose to buy the movie pass for the whole year. Well, if you like to watch movies alone and at the same theatre most of the time, the pass might suit you. The movie pass costs 10quid a month (by direct debit) and you have to subscribe to it for a minimum of 12 months. Hence, the 120quid bill you pay. That equates to at least two movies you have to watch per month (3 if you are a student) to break ... ...stand to gain since movie tickets cost 8.90quid each.
The problem abt this scheme is that you need to have some friends who bought the same pass as you to ensure that you have company each time you watch a film. I personally don't like the idea of watching movies alone. But the pros is you get to watch as many movies as you like and as many times too and get free parking too. However, the movies are still slow to come and sometimes there are not ...
sailormn 08.02.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of UGC Cinema
Advantages: Nice. Clean. A large screen and many smaller ones. Disadvantages: Slow queues.
The UGC was built as one of the new Virgin Cinema Megaplexes; however, in a rare move by the Virgin group the whole Virgin Cinema deal turned out to be a wise bit of venture capital. The cinemas which they had bought where done up and sold off. The Fountain Park location in Edinburgh was a bit of an anomaly in that respect - it was stilling being built as a Virgin Cinema long after Virgin Cinemas had been sold off. I am no lawyer but I imagine Virgin ... ...of the city.
The UGC company own the building now and they’re making a good bash at it.
Oh? The £120 cinema ticket? Well, first off, a word of warning… they will advertise the service as only costing £9.99. That’s a tenner to see any number of movies for a month. At £5 a ticket normally, that’s good value. Watch though, the minimum subscription to the scheme is for an entire year through Direct Debit! So, that is, at the very least, £120. Make ...
Manx 17.11.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of UGC Cinema
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Advantages: 19 screens means loads of films to choose from! Disadvantages: Sweets are rather expensive.
back into the place. However, being at Uni in Glasgow, I often found I had huge gaps between classes and would persuade a friend to pop down to the UGC with me to pass the time, and I suppose I'll have to put that first experience of mine down to teething troubles since they'd just newly opened, as I've had nothing but excellent experiences since.
The UGC can be found on Renfrew Street, Glasgow (there's another UGCcinema at Parkhead, though, too). It's impossible to miss as it towers above the other buildings. If, however, you're still having difficulty finding it you can easily see it from Buchanan Street Bus Station, Langs Hotel or the Royal Concert Hall. It usually has a massive poster of the latest release on its glass windows, and if you're exceptionally lucky you might see the men taking an old poster down and putting a new one up ...
Guru-On-A-Mountain 27.09.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of UGC Cinema
Advantages: All the mainstream blockbusters on, Lots of screens, Not too pricey for students Disadvantages: Some screens far too small, hardly any smaller or independent films, some screens are freezing!
Hey! All settled in at Uni now, so I decided it was time to post another of my fantastic reviews! :p
LOCATION
The UGCcinema stands in the trendy CornerHouse complex in Nottingham City Centre, where it took over the site from Warner Bros. There are plenty of trendy clubs, pubs, restaurants and bars surrounding the area, including Foreman's, potentially the smallest bar I have ever seen! As result, it is quite easy to include the UGC in any plans for a night out, which is quite convenient.
PRICE
Acceptable. About £4.80 for a regular adult admission, £3.10 with a student card. They also have "early bird specials" at the weekend, where any film before 12 midday on a Saturday/Sunday is at a hugely discounted rate, about £2.70 if I rememeber rightly, which is pretty good value for money in my opinion.
FACILITIES
The Cinema ...
Advantages: theres lots of screens Disadvantages: read on.....
My previous experience in the UGCCinema in Glasgow
couldn't have been less exciting!
Ok, so it may be the BIGGEST cinema in europe? but does that mean its better?
Certainly NOT in my opinion and from my experiences!
12 storeys high (all the escalators are right at the window so if, like me you are scared of heights keep to the left hand side of the escalators!) or use the lift!
First of all when you go in your have to queue (as if you were in a post office with cordoned off areas in a zig-zag formation to lead you to the front of the queue to be served)There are plenty of screens with film listings and times on them to help you choose which film and what time you want to see it.
There are quite a few tills to take your order but unfortunately when i was there only 3 tills were manned and the queue was right out the door, so ...
feebleeona 19.09.2002 (23.05.2003)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of UGC Cinema
