A leading cinema operator in the UAE has said it plans discussions with government officials over the demand from the Ministry of Economy for a cut in ticket prices.

Gulf Film, which operates the Grand Cinemas chain, said it was keen to explain its position after the ministry issued a circular yesterday demanding prices be cut from Dh35 to Dh30.

Salim Ramia from Grand Cinemas, which has 16 cinemas in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah, said: "Why should we reverse now? When you are staying in Dubai and they increase your rent, are you able to do anything?

"We have to talk to the ministry and see what's the situation. We have to see the content and take it to the ministry."

As well as asking cinema companies to reverse their ticket prices, the Ministry of Economy circular also advised them against putting up food and drink prices.

The statement said the ministry is acting because some cinema houses had put up food and drink prices while not allowing customers to bring in these items from outside.

It went on to say that cinema operators should not form cartels that are against the interests of consumers.

"The ministry will take measures against those that increase prices through such cartels," the circular added.

Several cinemas yesterday confirmed that they had received the circular, although the price of a standard ticket at these theatres remained at Dh35 when Gulf News went to press.

When it increased the cost of a standard ticket from Dh30 to Dh35, Grand Cinemas defended the move by saying it was the first ticket price rise for six years and was made amid increases in rents and other operating expenses.

CineStar, which has two cinemas in Dubai, one in Ajman and one in Abu Dhabi, made a similar point at the time, saying that up until the recent increase it had not put up ticket prices since beginning operations in the UAE in 1999.

Toni Al Masih, regional cinema manager for CineStar, yesterday afternoon said he had not yet seen the circular, while officials at the company's head office would not speak to Gulf News.

Not every cinema put up its ticket prices to Dh35 a few weeks ago, with at least two cinema complexes in Abu Dhabi, National and Eldorado, charging less than Dh30 for a ticket.

A ticket at National costs Dh25 and one at Eldorado sells for Dh20, with both complexes showing Indian and English movies, targeting in particular low-income workers.

How often do you go to the movies? Are you happy with the quality of service offered by the cinemas in the UAE? What suggestions do you have for improvement?

Labels: Dubai, Events