ON THURSDAY I attended a screening of the latest Mission Impossible film at Cineworld Southampton. As the film finished and we left the cinema closed its doors for the last time after 29 years. The message on its marquee at the front said “Cineworld has shown its last reel”.

I was 11 when I first went there to see Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade back in September 1989. It was then my cinema of choice, as it changed from the Cannon to the MGM, Virgin, UGC, and finally Cineworld and underwent several refits along the way. The introduction of the Harbour Lights nearby meant more choice in Ocean Village, as they showed more art-house films.

When Leisure World opened its larger Odeon in 1997, the five-screen Ocean Village cinema was still a popular venue for me due to its location and friendly staff. Since then, the Vue and the Showcase have also opened multiplexes.

When the Unlimited Card was introduced at the then UGC Cinema, I was quick to join and have been a member for the last 17 years.

I can still remember the place looking like a comic-con for the release of Star Trek Generations in 1995 (with staff in fancy dress and various stalls selling Star Trek merchandise in the foyer), and looking like a casino for the release of Goldeneye (all staff in Bond-style tuxedos), and then seeing all the Jedi with plastic lights sabres for Star Wars Episode I in July 1999.

National Cinema Day in June 1997 meant it was only £1 per ticket (a bargain price to see Con Air there that day). Cinema felt more like an event back in those days.

Thanks Cineworld Southampton for all the memories, fantastic films, lovely staff, and the traditional cinema look to the building that we have all enjoyed for the last 29 years. You will be missed.

keith Tudor

Romsey