£5 cinema tickets here to stay at Penrith's Lonsdale Alhambra

Lonsdale Alhambra Cinema, in Penrith, previously struggled with low attendance and rising costs over a difficult winter period, leaving the venue's future uncertain. 

Previously, energy costs to run the cinema were said to have 'tripled' at the beginning of the year. 

The initiative of low-cost ticket prices was trialled back in March but after a strong summer season, it will remain in place for the foreseeable. 

"It's been a really good summer, particularly at the start of the holidays," manager Matt Bainbridge said.

"We had been quiet but it started to pick up again with Indiana Jones and Mission Impossible, and then July 21 came with Barbenheimer, those first two weeks were absolutely packed out.

Lonsdale Alhambra cinema to continue £5 tickets (Image: NQ)

"The two films are massively different which has been helpful, it brings two different audiences - with Barbie bringing something for everyone. 

"Barbie is our fifth biggest film we've had at the cinema since our records go back to 2012."

Barbie has cemented itself a spot in the cinema's audience figures, following behind big blockbusters such as Skyfall, Mamma Mia 2, Spectre and No Time to Die.

"It's constant peaks and troughs. I wouldn't necessarily say Barbie and Oppenheimer saved the cinema but they have definitely helped us," Matt said.

Despite the recent successes, Matt said there are still challenges that face cinemas up and down the country.

"On the other side of things, there are films with the releases being pushed back from original stated release, which is partly due to the strikes.

"We are completely in support of the strikes but it is one of those things as it trickles down the industry, cinemas are going to feel the difficulty," Matt said.

That being said, there's still plenty to get excited about in the year ahead, from Marvel films to Willy Wonka.

Visit www.penrith-alhambra.co.uk/penrith/now/ for further information and listings on what's to come.