Two years ago, I joined the University of Sussex and went from ‘£5.99 Tuesdays’ at the nearest Vue, and a great local independent cinema, to the damp Brighton Odeon, and the expensive Marina Cineworld. Due to this, my love for a trip to the cinema began to dwindle, faced with the prospect of paying £12+ a ticket at the Cineworld, or only a few short of that to sit in the smelly, cold Odeon.
However, this would all change with some great advice from one of my lecturers, ‘go to the Lewes Depot’. Located just down from Lewes High Street and right next to the train station, the Lewes Depot is not only a fantastic cinema but a great spot for socialising, with a bar, restaurant, and café. Becoming a staple of my Sussex experience, there is no place I would recommend new students visit more than the Depot.
One of the greatest attributes of the Depot is that, unlike other independent cinemas around the country, it shows a balanced mix of new releases (from release date or within the following weeks), independent films, and rereleases. Allowing movie-goers to enjoy and support independent cinemas without missing out on the newest Hollywood pictures makes it an undeniably great option for when you want to attend the cinema here at Sussex.
In my first year at the University, a weekly trip to the Depot became routine for me and my friends (notably seeing Challengers back-to-back). The amazing pricing, £5 for Under-25s (£2.50 on a Tuesday), makes it hard to turn your nose up at seeing any film. It brought me to the cinema to see films I would never have gone to see, if my ticket had cost anything near the £12 required to see a film elsewhere. The affordable ticketing model has made a trip to the cinema accessible to anyone, differing from the elitist experience of reclining seats and 4DX screens seen at the biggest chain cinemas. This heightened accessibility gives the Lewes Depot a warm and welcoming environment, with the friendly staff and volunteers always willing to assist and answer any questions.
Photo: Lewes Deport
Now, it would not be reasonable of me to suggest that the Lewes Depot is the only valid cinema-going experience available to Sussex students, with there being several other options in Brighton and the area around the University. Brighton is lucky enough to have two Picturehouse cinemas, also offering an opportunity to watch independent releases, if at a slightly more pricey mark. The Duke of York Picturehouse also operates an outdoor cinema in Preston Park during the summer, showing cult classics at a reasonable price.
As well as this, there are more affordable ways to attend chain cinemas, like the Cineworld Unlimited card, which, for £17.99 (in Brighton) a month, gives you access to any Standard 2D screenings. As an owner of an Unlimited card, I do truly see the value behind them, but only if you are a frequent cinema attendee, like myself. If not, the offer available to Under-25s at the Lewes Depot is far and away the best option for students at the University of Sussex if they want to catch any of the newest blockbuster releases, explore the world of independent film, or even see one of their favourite films on rerelease.
For me personally, learning about the Depot changed my Sussex experience for the better and has defined a significant portion of how my friends and I spend our time outside of lecture halls and seminars. This is not to say that it’s the only place that you should attend the cinema here at Sussex, but given its affordability and wide range of pictures, it’s hard not to argue that supporting a local independent cinema is the best way to spend your time and money when you want to see a new film.
Another article you may enjoy: https://thebadgeronline.com/2025/09/critique-of-sequels/
