Movies
New cinema figures appear to show people are seeing more diverse movies at independent venues.
The UK Film Council's latest statistical report shows the number of non-multiplex cinemas, which include any with four or fewer screens, increased for the first time in a decade last year.
Evidence also showed a resurgence in smaller films with the top 50 films' share of the market falling from 76 per cent to 71 per cent.
Those ranked 51-150 grew from 21 to 24 per cent and those below rose from 3 to 5 per cent of the audience.
David Steele, head of the Film Council's research and statistics unit, commented: "Not everyone is happy with the multiplex experience, to put it mildly.
"People in focus groups have said, 'Why don't they bring back the ushers? We should have cinema police telling people to shut up during the show.'"
However, overall audience numbers in cinemas continued to fall in 2006, a trend that has been blamed on growing digital television, internet and music downloads.
The UK Film Council's latest statistical report shows the number of non-multiplex cinemas, which include any with four or fewer screens, increased for the first time in a decade last year.
Evidence also showed a resurgence in smaller films with the top 50 films' share of the market falling from 76 per cent to 71 per cent.
Those ranked 51-150 grew from 21 to 24 per cent and those below rose from 3 to 5 per cent of the audience.
David Steele, head of the Film Council's research and statistics unit, commented: "Not everyone is happy with the multiplex experience, to put it mildly.
"People in focus groups have said, 'Why don't they bring back the ushers? We should have cinema police telling people to shut up during the show.'"
However, overall audience numbers in cinemas continued to fall in 2006, a trend that has been blamed on growing digital television, internet and music downloads.
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