As the town's only cinema, the Odeon has to seriously up its game.
Okay, so it fulfils its core function of showing the latest high profile releases on generally decent sized screens.
However, they must have cut back on expenditure in recent times as the cinema interior, from kiosk to the actual halls need a lick of paint. There is also no longer a box office (been covered up with posters) and tickets are purchased in paper receipt format at the food kiosk or from machines. For me, I genuinely enjoyed going up to the box office, checking out the times and ordering my seats etc., as well as getting a proper ticket. Would that be so difficult to re-instate?
Years ago, there also used to be screens placed above the food area with the latest trailers. These have long since gone but would make such a difference to the pre-show hype and excitement.
The food is as you'd expect, over priced but at least they do cheese nachos properly. Proper warm cheese fondant drizzled over your nachos with jalapenos. Guacamole and salsa on offer too.
The cinema halls have some chairs taped up (never to be repaired again?) and the hall we were in yesterday had a large hole in the wall. Cineworld, Showcase and Vue are miles better in the upkeep and presentation of their premises.
Film choice is solely aimed at the mainstream, which is fine but it wouldn't hurt to throw in the odd left field choice. East Kilbride is a large town with many arts-minded people who have to travel into Glasgow to get their film of indie-ness.
The plaza part of the town centre (where the Odeon sits) is undergoing an overhaul to compete with the likes of Silverburn. The Odeon will have to move with the times eventually or stick out like a sore thumb. read more