By
Rebecca Seales
09:42 EST, 12 April 2012
|
09:57 EST, 12 April 2012
A mother of three was left fuming after being forced to buy a cinema ticket for her baby son – even though the tiny film-goer is just 10 weeks old.
Lynsey Calvert, 37, from Benfleet, Essex had taken her other sons, Oscar, five, and Max, two, for a family day out to see kids’ comedy Mirror Mirror.
But the 37-year-old did a double-take when she was told she would have to hand over £3 so that little Samuel could be in the cinema at the same time.
Disbelief: Mother Lynsey Calvert, pictured with her sons Oscar, five, Max, two, and Samuel, 10 weeks, couldn’t believe her ears when she was asked to buy a cinema ticket for her baby
Lynsey argued that her infant son was too young to even lift his head to watch the film, but staff at the Movie Starr cinema in Canvey refused to budge, saying it was their policy that everyone has to have a ticket.
The policy compares poorly to that of cinema giants Odeon and Empire, which both waive the charge for small babies.
Mrs Calvert said: ‘I was absolutely outraged when they told me.
‘Samuel is too young to even keep his head up to watch the film, and sat in his sling the whole time.
‘I just feel like they have taken advantage because I could hardly say ‘no’ and disappoint my two other children.’
The mother said she had chosen the Movie Starr venue in part because she wanted to support a smaller business, but that her experience has made her reconsider.
Mrs Calvert told cinema staff that Samuel, pictured, is too young to hold his head up himself, let alone watch a film
She added: ‘I am all for championing smaller businesses, but I am seriously thinking twice about coming back. You would think they would have more flexibility over things like this.
‘Entertaining three children for two
weeks during the holidays can be hard and very expensive, so you need to
try to keep everything as cheap as possible.
‘The
reason we went to that cinema is because travelling to the bigger ones
in Basildon and Southend works out far too much, especially with the cost of fuel going up.
Shane Parkin, Movie Starr’s owner, said: ‘Legally, everyone has to be issued a ticket due to fire regulations.
‘If a fire were to happen, they would
need to know how many people are on the premises. So regardless of age,
regardless of money, everyone has to be issued a ticket.
‘We are deeply sorry the customer has complained, and I apologise for not being available to attend to the matter personally.’
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I’m shocked at theses comments!! So because the baby is young she and the elder boys should be stuck in the house until he’s how old?
– Tally, London, 12/4/2012 21:33
Show me one comment which says this silly woman should be “stuck in the house” with her children. I have found none. What plenty are saying is that she was foolish for wanting to take an (alleged) ten week old baby into a cinema – no comment is offered about her simply exiting her home for some fresh air. Learn to read!
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As a teacher, mothers like this one are your worst nightmare. And the butt of many staffroom jokes. You either pay the what they’re asking, dear, or you go elsewhere. Sheesh. How incredibly inconsiderate to take a squawking, incontinent 10-week-old to a cinema, anyway!
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You might be shocked to learn I even talk to my children. We discuss the things we do such as the film we watched and observations about the story, it’s meaning and often the morality of the characters.
– Lynsey Calvert, Benfleet UK, 13/4/2012
Wow, that’s some ten-week old you have there, love. He’ll be doing his English Lit ‘A’ level by the time he’s four months at this rate. (PS – thanks for the entertainment, you gave our household a good laugh!)
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Poor Lynsey, she is very defensive when caught out, isn’t she?
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I’d be confused if I were as stupid as you.
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I am thrilled and confused that you have such in depth conversations with a 10 week old.
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‘Legally, everyone has to be issued a ticket due to fire regulations’ – well if that’s the case then why not issue a 1 penny charge for babies. I doubt the ticket amount the woman was charged was due to fire regulations. A simple case of greed more likely.
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It’s fascinating how people make judgements about my entire parenting based on this picture and story.
Because I took my children to see a film it doesnt mean they don’t play outside! In case you hadn’t noticed, it’s April and here that usually means its wet.
I think I’m best placed to judge whether my children are able to watch a film. You might be shocked to learn I even talk to my children. We discuss the things we do such as the film we watched and observations about the story, it’s meaning and often the morality of the characters. My children as well as being larger than average are also quite advanced in their thinking. They’re also very good at tree climbing and puddle jumping. Perhaps they will also grow up to be less judgemental and show more understanding than the majority of the commentators here.
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Next thing they’ll be charging pregnant women double!
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Wow people, she was taking her children to a kids movie! I’m sure there is an expectation that kids will be a bit louder. My 3 month old has been to the movies half a dozen times, and so far not a hitch, she mostly sleeps through it and if she stirs I put her to the breast m, easy peasy 🙂
That said if she did become upset I’d pack up my other 3 kids and her and bring them home, as any sensible person would do. To assume that because it’s a baby there will be crying is not fair. I usually get comments that people didn’t even realize Mollie ( the 3 month old) was in the theatre.
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