Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions!

This page is continually evolving. If you have a question that you don't see answered here, please email boxoffice@elycinema.org.uk and we'll endeavour to answer your enquiry as soon as possible, and also share the answer here to help others.

Please note, other than a small number of public safety roles, Ely Community Cinema is volunteer-led and run, in order to make the finances work! This means that we cannot always answer emails straight away, sometimes it may take a day or two. This is also why we do not have a telephone booking line. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

• Is Ely Community Cinema Accessible?

Very much so! We are pleased to do as much as we can to welcome all visitors. We have a dedicated page here for all things to do with Accessibility.

• Can I purchase tickets in person?

Yes, we open the box office at The Maltings approximately 30 minutes before every film. You can buy tickets for that performance, or in advance for any of the films that are open for purchase on this website. There is no booking fee for any tickets purchased in-person at our box office.

Unfortunately, outside of the box office times above, it is not possible to purchase cinema tickets directly from The Maltings staff/building.

• Can I pay cash?

No, in order to keep costs and administration down, Ely Community Cinema is card only, both on the website and at the box office. The Maltings bar does accept cash.

• What is your refund policy?

Film tickets are non-refundable unless we have had to cancel a showing.

• Do you sell gift vouchers? Do you have a membership/loyalty scheme?

We do not sell gift vouchers or memberships at the moment. However it is planned to introduce these later in the year.

• Do you have a licensed bar?

Yes, the bar is run by the City of Ely Council team at the Maltings, and has a very competive price list. You can also buy hot drinks, snacks and ice cream. All profit from the bar goes directly to support the City Of Ely and The Maltings venue.

• Can I take my drink and snacks into the cinema?

You can take anything bought in the Maltings into the cinema. However we would ask you not to bring food and drink bought outside into the Maltings. As above the bar prices are very competitive and all profits from the Maltings bar go directly back to the venue and the City of Ely council.

• Where can I park?

There is a large completely free car park approximately 20 metres away in Ship Lane, Ely, CB7 4BB.

• Can I book a taxi to The Maltings?

Yes, simply ask the driver to take you to, or pre-book the taxi to pick you up at, The Maltings, Ship Lane. Don't ask for the Ely Cinema because they can sometimes assume you mean the Ely Leisure Park.

• What are the rules for film certification?

Anyone can see a film rated U or PG.

Anyone can see a 12A film, but under 12s must be accompanied by someone over 18. You must be 15 or over to see 15 certificate films and 18 or over to see 18 certificate films.

This is law and there is no discretion about these rules. They include babies, the only exception being

Parent & Baby Screenings. For more information, go to www.bbfc.co.uk

• Can I leave my children alone to see a film?

Sorry, this is not allowed at present.

• Why don’t you offer concessions?

We try to keep our prices as low as possible and we run the Cinema on a shoestring budget. If we were to offer discounts, we would have to increase the undiscounted price in order to pay for them.

• Why do you charge a booking fee?

This fee helps cover the costs of the various systems required in order to safely and securely accept payments on our website and at the in-person box office counter.

• I don't see any children's films, or matinee performances, in the programme.

Watch this space. We plan to introduce these later in the summer. We will also be looking into bringing Event Cinema performances back next year.