Meon Valley schoolboy campaign secures cheap cinema concessions (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Meon Valley schoolboy campaign secures cheap cinema concessions

1:37pm Wednesday 15th June 2011 in Bishop's Waltham

A CINEMA has launched a new discount ticket for teenagers after a Meon Valley schoolboy enlisted the help of his MP.

Nick Pearce, 15, of Bucketts Farm Close, Swanmore, visited the Apollo Cinema in Fareham and he was forced to pay the adult price of £8.20.

The headboy at Swanmore College of Technology challenged the cost but was told that only under 14s got a concession and to get a discount Nick would need a student card, which he didn't have as he is still at school.

George Hollingbery, Meon Valley MP, had recently visited the school, so Nick decided to write to him about it.

The MP contacted the cinema company to ask about their pricing structure and in response it has now launched a Teen Ticket priced at £5.20 before 5pm and after 5pm it is £6.10.

"It was absolutely great that Nick contacted me about this issue that seemed very unfair to those at school - many who have very tight budgets," said George.

"Equally, I'm delighted that Apollo has responded to Nick's points and taken the common sense approach and launched this new ticket.

"This is a real case of young people power and Nick should be congratulated. Through his initiative, teenagers who go to Apollo cinemas across the country will now be saving money."