FAQ

Yes. Some films don't cover their costs - but most do. It depends on a number of different variables, the most important of which is the number of tickets sold - but the cost of the film license (they can differ) and whether we have external cost (for example a professional piano accompanist at our silent movie night) also contribute. Our objective over the year is to make enough money to cover costs (for example public liability insurance, marketing such as leaflets or equipment wear and tear) and to invest in the growth of the cinema. Other than that, it's not our overriding objective. This is one of the areas which differentiates us from mainstream multiplexes or commercial cinemas. Most shows do however generate more money than we spend. For the past year we have been sponsoring the Billericay Good Companions Club. This club for older members of our community which meets twice a month and is particularly focused on those who are more socially isolated who don't perhaps get to meet many people. These meetings are wonderful ! The first hour is always some form of entertainment - a singer, a lecture, a group of musicians. In the second hour they have tea and a good old chin-wag ! In 2023, however, we have launched a new initiative: 50/50/23. Being a volunteer led community group our aim is to provide good quality film entertainment without breaking the bank whilst covering our costs. Not all of our shows break even - it all depends on the numbers of tickets sold, how much the particular film license is and whether we’re paying for some additional entertainment. Having said that most of our shows do make a profit. Some gets reinvested in equipment, some subsidises loss making shows and some supports our sponsorship of the Billericay Good Companions Club - but typically we still have some left over. Therefore we’re starting 50/50/23. During 2023 we’ll be donating 50% of any profits we make to local Billericay based charities. For the first 6 months these charities will be: * Billericay Men’s Shed based in Lake Meadows, which aims to reduce loneliness and isolation in a fun and practical way * Hamelin Trust in Radford Crescent, who support those with learning disabilities and their families * Billericay Foodbank who provide weekly food to those who most need it. We’re going to leave it up to our guestsu as to how the money is split. At the end of each show you can put a token in one of 3 containers, one for each of the groups. Any profits from that show will be apportioned according to the number of tokens received. At the next show you get get another token and you can either support the same charity or spread the love around! Every 3 months we’ll announce how much has been raised and send the money on its way to each charity.

We show films twice a month. "Film Thursday" is primarily for adult audiences (although some may be suitable for younger people). "Sunday Matinee" shows are open to anyone, however, we particularly welcome those who might be on their own and fancy a little company. Whether alone or in a group you can be assured of a very friendly welcome. Upcoming events are on our website. You can also keep up to date with what's on with the following options : Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter (RECOMMENDED !) via this link : Billericay Cinema Newsletter "Like" our Facebook page Subscribe to our Facebook Events. Follow us on Twitter @BillericayCine

At our evening “Film Thursday” tickets are £5 whilst at the “Sunday Matinee” afternoon showings they are £4.00. Our aim is to give you a great evening or afternoon of entertainment – without breaking the bank! Refreshments are equally competitively priced. Our Thursday "special" cocktails are £3 mocktails £1.50. At Sunday matinees we have fresh, home baked cake at £1 and at both shows tea/coffee and hot chocolate are also £1. Other refreshments are available.

If you are able, please purchase your tickets directly from our website (BillericayCine.com). There are no booking charges; we absorb the card fees. It is also possible to buy tickets for future films at our shows. If buying online isn’t an option, you can send a letter to: Billericay Community Cinema 29 The Meadow Way, Billericay, Essex, CM11 2HL Please include; A Cheque made payable to Billericay Community Cinema Which films you’d like tickets for, and how many tickets A stamped, addressed envelope for us to send the tickets

All our shows feature refreshments all at very competitive prices “Sunday Matinee” is themed around “a cuppa, a slice of cake, a natter and a film”. We have a variety of hot and cold soft drinks, a range of snacks and – importantly – freshly baked home made cake. It might be lemon drizzle, it might be chocolate, it might be ginger …. “Film Thursday” has a range of hot and cold soft drinks and snacks but in addition is licensed. We sell locally brewed beers from the excellent Billericay Brewing Company in nearby Chapel Street, wine and cider. In addition we always have a cocktail and a mocktail themed around the film.

It's a bit of a mix ! We produce a long list of films which is made up of films suggested by our audience and films suggested by our Volunteers plus a few others that either look as if they would work for our audiences - or occasionally might challenge them ! The long list is culled and sorted into groups of films related by genre which are allocated to months in the schedule. This is to ensure that we get a good mix of films - so for example February might be a group of comedies, March might be musicals etc. The shortlist is then put out to the audience vote. They select one film from each

Certainly. Our Volunteers come from all walks of life from young adults still at school to employed professionals and retirees. Some come to all shows, some are more occasional, some only come to Thursday shows, others to both Sunday and Thursday. The choice is yours. We get to the venue roughly 1 hour before the doors open and finish around 30 to 40 minutes after the film ends. During the setup phase we: - set out the chairs and tables - fire up the projection equipment - unpack our two secure crates containing our refreshments - organise the kitchen - and on Thursdays set up the bar. As our audience arrive we staff the Welcome Desk checking tickets whilst other volunteers provide table service of refreshments, taking orders and payment. We have a dedicated Cash Desk who process all transactions, our kitchen team are making and serving drinks and refreshments - and we all muck in with the less glamorous tasks such as washing up ! After the film everything is in reverse, packing it all away ! The benefits of being a Volunteer (apart from the pleasure of giving back to our community !)are that we all get to watch the film for free - and there's no charge for any refreshments.