Cinema investigation - Evidence

In 2010 people in the UK visited the cinema nearly 170 million times and spent almost £990 watching movies on the big screen.

After a number of negative incidents affecting Trailblazers in London, the network decided that the cinema industry needed further investigation.

Trailblazers in the region went out into their local communities and visited and rated their local major chain and independent cinemas. They completed surveys, interviewed cinema managers and architects, wrote blogs, set up a petition, wrote their own report, and made their own documentary that showed the big picture of access in UK cinemas today.

Mindi Virdee describes her experience of London cinemas:

A lot of cinema exhibitors seem to see disability in black and white terms. It's like they assume that if you're not in a wheelchair then you can easily climb stairs. I use crutches and find it very hard to make it up the stairs, especially in a crowded, dark auditorium. The lack of access to the back is frustrating because it limits where I can sit, and puts a tough climb between me and any comfortable seats. Cinema exhibitors need to consider their disabled customers' needs from more than the view of just having a seat.

Sign our petition calling on cinema operators to improve their service for disabled people.

See how Trailblazers campaigners rated cinemas in London or add your own review by completing our survey.

Read the about our findings in other regions.