Cinema City
Cinema City
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:00 PM, 11:30 PM - 12:00 AM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:00 PM
11:30 PM - 12:00 AM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:00 PM
11:30 PM - 12:00 AM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:00 PM
11:30 PM - 12:00 AM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:00 PM
11:30 PM - 12:00 AM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:00 PM
11:30 PM - 12:00 AM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:00 PM
11:30 PM - 12:00 AM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:00 PM
11:30 PM - 12:00 AM
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574 within 3 miles
Attractions
139 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
169 reviews
Excellent
106
Very good
39
Average
12
Poor
7
Terrible
5
norwich21
Norwich, UK4 contributions
Dec 2019
Having been a very keen and passionate member of Cinema City for a long period of time, I am becoming more and more disappointed at the lack of film choices for the more discerning film goer. I have enjoyed many foreign language films and a variety of thought provoking independent films covering many genres. However, it seems we are no longer being catered for. Most of the films shown are either popular culuture or blockbusters. Most of these films can be seen at the major cinemas chains for,sometimes, a third of the price. Cinema City is expensive and I wonder why I should pay these prices to see the same film elsewhere.
Yes, Cinema City is by far a better venue.but I want to go there and be offered a choice of films of a more discerning nature.
I know I am not the only person who feels like this. But maybe it is all about making money!
Yes, Cinema City is by far a better venue.but I want to go there and be offered a choice of films of a more discerning nature.
I know I am not the only person who feels like this. But maybe it is all about making money!
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BristolMKH
Bristol, UK308 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
35 minutes wait for a toasted sandwich. Pepsi Max with no gas - replaced with another with no gas. 4 clueless staff and a chef who can’t make a toasted sandwich. What a disgrace. Do avoid.
Written May 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelvin R
2 contributions
Jan 2023 • Solo
Greeted very invitingly by Will on the front desk. Answered all my questions having never been here before.
Great environment in the bar and dining area.
Was served at the bar by Rebecca promptly and graciously.
Film was exceptional and will definitely return!
Great environment in the bar and dining area.
Was served at the bar by Rebecca promptly and graciously.
Film was exceptional and will definitely return!
Written January 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim Boucherat
Bishops Stortford, UK4 contributions
Aug 2019
My recent experiences at Cinema City, a venue that I was heavily involved with in its formative years in the late 1970s/early 1980s, have been little short of appalling.
The vision of the cinema was originally to show a wide range of arthouse, foreign language and cult independent films, not available in mainstream movie theatres (in those days represented by ABC and Odeon). The inevitable entropy set in post becoming part of the Pictuehouse chain and rapidly accelerated following the sale of the business to Cineworld in 2012. The latter is the largest picturehouse exhibitor in Europe and as such, is almost exclusively focused on ultra commercial, mass-market fare.
Cinema City today is the palest shadow of its former self and perfectly represents the toxic primacy of neoliberal imperatives. The films shown are almost exclusively the same as those shown at the local Odeon multiplex, except that the latter is half the price or less. Wonderful films from around the world are now conspicuous by their close to total absence but the likes of uber vapid pabulum like Downton Abbey, Blinded by the Light, The Current War and The Lion King are now standard programming. As mentioned, one can see all of these recent examples at the local Odeon at a fraction of the price, so what exactly is Cinema City's raison d'etre?
The Dining Rooms at Cinema City serve excellent cuisine and when considered as a "restaurant", cannot be faulted. The splendid medieval interiors of Suckling House of course remain and if one limits one's attention to simply the food and ambiance then you will not be disappointed. Conversely, when reviewed as a "cinema", the establishment's putative purpose, it is an utter disgrace. The staff are frequently offhand, arrogant and dismissive. They are also largely clueless about film, which further begs the question as to the underlying commercial objectives. There are no longer any interesting booklets as to forthcoming titles each quarter and any questions via the contact line are relayed to an outsourced call centre, where invariably you are left uninformed or simply fobbed off.
True cinephiles will find absolutely nothing of worth at this grotesque parody of an art house cinema. It is however a perfect venue for the witless affectations of the dilettantes and poseurs who will feel oh so special and superior in such a superficially rarified environment. Truly an object example of knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing. This establishment is essentially a monumental betrayal of its founding values and a poster child of the meretricious, cynicism of the contemporary "culture" industry.
The vision of the cinema was originally to show a wide range of arthouse, foreign language and cult independent films, not available in mainstream movie theatres (in those days represented by ABC and Odeon). The inevitable entropy set in post becoming part of the Pictuehouse chain and rapidly accelerated following the sale of the business to Cineworld in 2012. The latter is the largest picturehouse exhibitor in Europe and as such, is almost exclusively focused on ultra commercial, mass-market fare.
Cinema City today is the palest shadow of its former self and perfectly represents the toxic primacy of neoliberal imperatives. The films shown are almost exclusively the same as those shown at the local Odeon multiplex, except that the latter is half the price or less. Wonderful films from around the world are now conspicuous by their close to total absence but the likes of uber vapid pabulum like Downton Abbey, Blinded by the Light, The Current War and The Lion King are now standard programming. As mentioned, one can see all of these recent examples at the local Odeon at a fraction of the price, so what exactly is Cinema City's raison d'etre?
The Dining Rooms at Cinema City serve excellent cuisine and when considered as a "restaurant", cannot be faulted. The splendid medieval interiors of Suckling House of course remain and if one limits one's attention to simply the food and ambiance then you will not be disappointed. Conversely, when reviewed as a "cinema", the establishment's putative purpose, it is an utter disgrace. The staff are frequently offhand, arrogant and dismissive. They are also largely clueless about film, which further begs the question as to the underlying commercial objectives. There are no longer any interesting booklets as to forthcoming titles each quarter and any questions via the contact line are relayed to an outsourced call centre, where invariably you are left uninformed or simply fobbed off.
True cinephiles will find absolutely nothing of worth at this grotesque parody of an art house cinema. It is however a perfect venue for the witless affectations of the dilettantes and poseurs who will feel oh so special and superior in such a superficially rarified environment. Truly an object example of knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing. This establishment is essentially a monumental betrayal of its founding values and a poster child of the meretricious, cynicism of the contemporary "culture" industry.
Written September 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rebecca T
Attleborough, UK83 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
We used to enjoy visiting Cinema City but on the last couple of occasions we've been disappointed. There never seems to be enough staff in the bar area which results in a long queue filling half the room which doesn't exactly create a nice atmosphere. As for the cinema rooms themselves I wish the seating could be sorted out somehow so that when someone in the same row as you moves in their chair it doesn't cause the whole row of chairs to move with them.
Written February 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Teresa O
2 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
I have been visiting Cinema City for many years. I feel that customer service is no longer important to them. I have been dealt with, in my recent visits, by staff who are downright rude to those with no interest whatsoever in the customer. Why that is I can’t imagine. Surely it should be the customer that is bad tempered and outraged at the ridiculously inflated prices! Please could we have pleasant, interested and polite staff. Last night, having been spoken to by a particularly unpleasant staff member, I felt that the time had come for me to stop paying Cinema City money to leave me feeling so cross.
Written October 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
daniel c
Norwich, UK27 contributions
Nov 2018 • Family
Me and my husband just took my little girl who is 4 today to cinema to ask if we could have tickets for Room on the broom today at 10.30. For her birthday. A rude member of staff with bright hair said not open and sold out have been for weeks . So so rude. My little girl upset as we didn’t know needed to book. Staff need some customer service training. We make sure we never go there. Now will take her for birthday treat else where.
Would not recommend this place.
Would not recommend this place.
Written November 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yorkie5815
Hethersett, UK1 contribution
Jun 2015 • Couples
Well after a visit to the Cinema city yesterday to see Mad Max, and experienced the worst customer experience for a very long time.
We had bought and collected tickets early and had a pleasant pre movie glass of white wine, although not very cold and when we asked for ice, were given two cubes cos they had run out!!
Before the movie started decided we needed coke.
On getting to the foyer i went to the end where the ice cream popcorn etc is which is clearly laid out as a sales point for such things, silly me for thinking that.
After waiting between 5-10 mins on clear view to the staff selling tickets, one decided to tell me that i would need to queue with everyone buying tickets.
I then asked why let me wait there that time before telling me i needed to queue again with people buying tickets. When i questioned this as they had plainly seen me was rudely told i was not there long. This is exactly not the point!!
Finally i waited and was served. I offered a suggestion maybe to place a sign on the counter where the food and beverages were indicating that people are not served here, a reasonable suggestion. Yet again curtely/rudely told no everyone queues these two places, i idicated clearly not as it is laid out as a counter for food and beverages.
Customer treatment of this type is not what should be expected, especially when the customer offers sensible advice. I am sure i will not frequent this venue in future and will stick to the large chains who at least do understand customer service.
Also a note i would also avoid in warm weather was in screen 1, no cooling of any sort which made the theatre like a sauna quite unpleasant level of comfort.
We had bought and collected tickets early and had a pleasant pre movie glass of white wine, although not very cold and when we asked for ice, were given two cubes cos they had run out!!
Before the movie started decided we needed coke.
On getting to the foyer i went to the end where the ice cream popcorn etc is which is clearly laid out as a sales point for such things, silly me for thinking that.
After waiting between 5-10 mins on clear view to the staff selling tickets, one decided to tell me that i would need to queue with everyone buying tickets.
I then asked why let me wait there that time before telling me i needed to queue again with people buying tickets. When i questioned this as they had plainly seen me was rudely told i was not there long. This is exactly not the point!!
Finally i waited and was served. I offered a suggestion maybe to place a sign on the counter where the food and beverages were indicating that people are not served here, a reasonable suggestion. Yet again curtely/rudely told no everyone queues these two places, i idicated clearly not as it is laid out as a counter for food and beverages.
Customer treatment of this type is not what should be expected, especially when the customer offers sensible advice. I am sure i will not frequent this venue in future and will stick to the large chains who at least do understand customer service.
Also a note i would also avoid in warm weather was in screen 1, no cooling of any sort which made the theatre like a sauna quite unpleasant level of comfort.
Written June 6, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Youngman46
Dubai, United Arab Emirates16 contributions
Nov 2017 • Friends
This cinema is excellent, very comfortable seating, small and cosy. Very dissatisfied with some of the staff, I took my brother yesterday, as a treat, to be served by a young man on the desk, who frankly was surely, never smiled, or said thank you, very unpleasant.
I don’t usually complain but this is the second time I have had a problem with a member of staff, I attended the cinema with friends earlier this year, on leaving my Husband who is a diabetic, had a hypo, and needed chocolate urgently, there was a young lady on the front desk I asked her for help, could she sell me some chocolate, she flatly refused me, even after I told her what could happen to my husband, the till was closed, I asked if she could just put my money aside, for the next day. She became very rude, I was quite stressed by this time, she couldn’t have cared less for me of my situation. Fortunately someone ran to the pub, and they went out of their way to give me a hand, and something for my husband, I was so grateful to them. I think some of your staff need some training in customer relations.
I don’t usually complain but this is the second time I have had a problem with a member of staff, I attended the cinema with friends earlier this year, on leaving my Husband who is a diabetic, had a hypo, and needed chocolate urgently, there was a young lady on the front desk I asked her for help, could she sell me some chocolate, she flatly refused me, even after I told her what could happen to my husband, the till was closed, I asked if she could just put my money aside, for the next day. She became very rude, I was quite stressed by this time, she couldn’t have cared less for me of my situation. Fortunately someone ran to the pub, and they went out of their way to give me a hand, and something for my husband, I was so grateful to them. I think some of your staff need some training in customer relations.
Written November 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
norwichred
Castle Acre, UK17 contributions
Feb 2016 • Couples
This is a copy of an email I just sent to their head office which neatly sums up my feelings :
I have been a member of cinema city in Norwich for three years now. I have noticed a very sad change of emphasis at the cinema over that time. It used to be a pleasant place to visit, but the staff have seemed to have experience a high turnover and there always seems to be a new face. These faces are not always particularly polite or friendly either.
I have also noticed that astonishingly it is becoming easier to see "serious" films at our local odeon than it is at cinema city. For example, last year when we wanted to see "whiplash" the week it was released, we couldn't do so. We had to go to Odeon. When we wanted to see "White God" it was only shown once and at a time my partner (and most people) would be at work. We had to buy the Blu-Ray. This week we wanted to see "The Revenant". Again, we have to go to The Odeon. No chance at Cinema City. But if you want to see the latest blockbuster (in this case Dad's Army) then there is no problem.
But I understand, as sad as it is, that the local cinema does not control their program.
However, the staff attitude, competence and politeness can be controlled.
When we renewed our membership in February 2015, the computer systems were down. They couldn't give us a card. We are busy people, so rely on the cinema city programme coming through our door regularly for us to mark off what we want to see so we can mark it in our diary. In addition to not giving us a membership card, they didn't write down our details on the computer so they didn't send us any mailings. This meant, in our busy lives, that we completely forgot and ended up not going once.
We eventually remembered in December and popped in. They rectified the mailings but no apology was forthcoming and no card offered. We then used our free tickets in January, and today I decided that despite the problems it was just about worth (and only just) rejoining. I went in to join and was BERATED very rudely by the member of staff for not having a card. I was shocked at his rudeness and didn't even get a chance to explain why I didn't have a card.
I noticed he had his name badge tucked in his shirt, so no-one could see his name so I asked to see the manager. To my complete shock - he was the manager! I asked for the details of head office so I could complain and he told me "no"! Just like that. One syllable. When I said that I was going to make a complaint and I would say he refused to give me the details he replied "I didn't refuse to give you the details. I would need to go to the office to get them, and I'm not prepared to". Which kind of means the same thing.
I also remember an incident a few years ago when they were meant to be showing Aliens directors cut on a late night showing but were sent the wrong print. A member of staff went and got the DVD and showed that on the screen instead. I'm sure that is not legal, not to a full cinema screen.
I am afraid that I will not be renewing my membership and will not return. Regardless of the actual films you show, what really hurts is the attitude of the staff and the general level of incompetence around the place. To be honest, with a manager like that, it is not a great surprise.
I should be angry really. But I'm not. I'm sad. Sad that such a great place has become "just another cinema". That it is no longer the resource for great unknown and undiscovered cinema it used to be. And that it's not the place where customers matter any more.
A great great shame.
I have been a member of cinema city in Norwich for three years now. I have noticed a very sad change of emphasis at the cinema over that time. It used to be a pleasant place to visit, but the staff have seemed to have experience a high turnover and there always seems to be a new face. These faces are not always particularly polite or friendly either.
I have also noticed that astonishingly it is becoming easier to see "serious" films at our local odeon than it is at cinema city. For example, last year when we wanted to see "whiplash" the week it was released, we couldn't do so. We had to go to Odeon. When we wanted to see "White God" it was only shown once and at a time my partner (and most people) would be at work. We had to buy the Blu-Ray. This week we wanted to see "The Revenant". Again, we have to go to The Odeon. No chance at Cinema City. But if you want to see the latest blockbuster (in this case Dad's Army) then there is no problem.
But I understand, as sad as it is, that the local cinema does not control their program.
However, the staff attitude, competence and politeness can be controlled.
When we renewed our membership in February 2015, the computer systems were down. They couldn't give us a card. We are busy people, so rely on the cinema city programme coming through our door regularly for us to mark off what we want to see so we can mark it in our diary. In addition to not giving us a membership card, they didn't write down our details on the computer so they didn't send us any mailings. This meant, in our busy lives, that we completely forgot and ended up not going once.
We eventually remembered in December and popped in. They rectified the mailings but no apology was forthcoming and no card offered. We then used our free tickets in January, and today I decided that despite the problems it was just about worth (and only just) rejoining. I went in to join and was BERATED very rudely by the member of staff for not having a card. I was shocked at his rudeness and didn't even get a chance to explain why I didn't have a card.
I noticed he had his name badge tucked in his shirt, so no-one could see his name so I asked to see the manager. To my complete shock - he was the manager! I asked for the details of head office so I could complain and he told me "no"! Just like that. One syllable. When I said that I was going to make a complaint and I would say he refused to give me the details he replied "I didn't refuse to give you the details. I would need to go to the office to get them, and I'm not prepared to". Which kind of means the same thing.
I also remember an incident a few years ago when they were meant to be showing Aliens directors cut on a late night showing but were sent the wrong print. A member of staff went and got the DVD and showed that on the screen instead. I'm sure that is not legal, not to a full cinema screen.
I am afraid that I will not be renewing my membership and will not return. Regardless of the actual films you show, what really hurts is the attitude of the staff and the general level of incompetence around the place. To be honest, with a manager like that, it is not a great surprise.
I should be angry really. But I'm not. I'm sad. Sad that such a great place has become "just another cinema". That it is no longer the resource for great unknown and undiscovered cinema it used to be. And that it's not the place where customers matter any more.
A great great shame.
Written February 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingCinema City - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Cinema City
- Cinema City is open:
- Sun - Sat 12:00 AM - 11:00 PM
- Sun - Sat 11:30 PM - 12:00 AM
- Hotels near Cinema City:
- (0.03 mi) 3 Princes Street
- (0.03 mi) Stay Norwich Apartments Quayside Walk
- (0.03 mi) Spacious Norwich Lanes Apartment with Roof Terrace
- (0.04 mi) Princes Cottage
- (0.06 mi) London House
- Restaurants near Cinema City:
- (0.01 mi) The Dining Rooms at Cinema City
- (0.02 mi) St Andrews Brew House
- (0.02 mi) Thai Lanna Restaurant, Norwich
- (0.02 mi) Bishop's Dining Room & Wine Bar
- (0.02 mi) Expresso Cafe
Cinema City Information
Excellent Reviews | 106 |
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Very Good Reviews | 39 |
Cinema City Photos | 22 |