What factors led to the decline of town or city centres cinemas in the last 1970's and early 1980's

There were three main factors that led to the decline in cinemas during the 19070's and 1980's, in a larger context these were social, technological and economic reasons, but if we break each one down, we find a much more detailed analysis of why this decline occurred. The uprising of the home video systems played a large role in cinema attendance, technological changes had an effect, as did the use of pirated films, forming a much cheaper way to watch films, larger and more appealing showcasing areas became available, meaning smaller and less developed cinemas couldn't compete.

The rise of the multiplex carved the way for a more appealing and profitable way to watch films, changing the way in which expectations were set, the exhibition of films altering and evolving forwards, this ultimately destroyed many of the independent cinemas also known as flea pits, the more targeted audience being teenagers now, meaning these very comfortable and large multiplexes would be placed near or in shopping centres, to attract young shoppers whom have a disposable income.

The use of illegal pirated films made it easy for people to watch films from home on their home video systems, this had an effect on cinema attendances, the recession making it more appealing for people to watch films at home. This also sparked an issue with production and the start of blockbusters, films that had visual effects, ones that would be very low quality if watched from home were becoming a must thing to see at the cinema, the large screens and sound systems making the experience much more satisfying, the rich stories of films were being sacrificed for special effects, to attract teenagers towards the screens.

The way in which films were distributed changed when the creation of multiplexes came to be, there was known competition between the flea pits and these new multi-screen complexes, due to wanting control the distribution companies rarely sold newly made films to the flea pits. This meant that many smaller cinemas in towns and cities would find themselves without business, not able to show specific films that were shown elsewhere. Another similar example of this would be the creation of event movies, a trend or hype was formed by mass marketing of the product, special effect driven films were very popular, the release of these films would be during the summer breaks, where teenagers and people in general have time to waste, the already hyped atmosphere making people want to watch it, the most viable place to see such would be the multiplexes, other cinemas not able to screen it.

I conclude that the reason for the decline in cinemas in the 1970's and 1980's was largely because of the creation of multiplexes, the flea pits had a form of competition that they were simply unable to keep up with, therefore crafting a new way for films to be screened, multi-screen complexes with large screens and comfortable seating. ( Missing rest )