BRITAIN’S North-South price divide also applies to leisure activities – with Southerners paying double.
We revealed last week how big chains’ food and drink costs more in the South.
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Now Sun Money exposes mega price differences for movies, fitness and kids’ trips.
Cineworld and PureGym charge double at some locations in the South – and kids’ activities can be 50 per cent more.
Costs could add up to over £1,000 a year more for a family in the South.
Firms blame larger bills.
Cineworld said: “Prices vary due to differences in rent and running costs.”
PureGym said: “The cost of income and doing business varies across the UK.”
But there are ways to save – such as, ditching the gym for a run in the park, or watch movies at home instead.
Now check out how costs are grim down South.
Gyms
Pure Gym membership is just £16 a month in Newcastle – but working out costs up to double in London.
The capital’s Angel branch charges £20 a month for the first year of membership, then prices shoot up to £32 a month from the start of the second year.
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PRICE DIFFERENCE: Up to £16 per month
The Gym Group’s monthly fee will get you in a sweat in the South, with £24.99 charges at Stepney Green, London, compared with £15.99 in Newcastle.
But both gym firms are much cheaper than chains including David Lloyd and Nuffield Health.
PRICE DIFFERENCE: £9 per month
Kids clubs
Families in the South pay Premier League prices for Little Kickers children’s football, with 45-minute lessons costing an average of £10 a session in Wimbledon, South West London.
But Northerners can bag bargain £6.50 prices.
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Back of the net! Local franchisees set prices.
PRICE DIFFERENCE: £3.50
Rugby prices could try your patience
Rugby Tots costs £7.25 for a 45-minute class in Leeds, but £9.90 in Wimbledon.
Coaches in every area – not bosses of the rugby brand – decide what price to charge in each patch.
PRICE DIFFERENCE: £2.65
Cinema
Cineworld charges £6.74 for adult evening seats for Fast & Furious 9 in Bradford, but £13.74 in Wandsworth, South London
Cineworld Unlimited membership – covering as many films as you want – costs £9.99 a month in Bradford, Hull, Bolton and Runcorn – but £18.40 at almost all London venues.
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PRICE DIFFERENCE: £8.41 on membership
Odeon tickets to Peter Rabbit cost £7.50 for adults and £5.50 for children in Manchester, but £8.50 and £6 in Wimbledon, London.
But Odeon Limitless has a set fee of £9.99 at almost all its cinemas.
PRICE DIFFERENCE: Up to £1
Family fun
Kids, teenagers and parents enjoy Flip Out’s indoor trampoline parks.
It costs £9.95 for an hour’s bouncing in Blackburn, Lancs.
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But families in the South will be flipping mad at £13.50 charges in Wandsworth, London. Off-peak hours cost £12.50.
PRICE DIFFERENCE: Up to £3.55
Mum, dad and two kids going 10-pin bowling at Hollywood Bowl costs £45.60 in Bolton, Greater Manchester, but £49.40 in Surrey Keys, South London.
Bosses said: “The price of bowling in some centres varies to reflect the economic needs of the local area.”
PRICE DIFFERENCE: £3.80
‘High prices are unjustified’
A DAD-of-three from the South reckons his family’s bill for leisure activities is hundreds of pounds a year more than for a family in the North.
Ian Hutchinson, 64, has forked out for football and dance lessons for his kids.
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The film financier, from Fulham, West London, says high prices make everyday activities tougher for Southerners to afford.
Ian, who has a son, Ben, 16, with tour operator wife Anita, 48, and two daughters, Lauren, 27, and Ellie, 22, said: “Price differences for kids’ activities seem unjustified.
“But it’s fair to pay a higher price where there is greater choice, for example with cinema tickets.
“The higher prices in the South add up to a substantial amount over a year.
“It comes down to supply and demand, and there are enough people willing to pay more in London.”
‘Big surprise to hear the costs’
A MUM in the North was shocked by how much more the same sports and leisure sessions cost in the South.
Joanne Yuill, 49, paid low prices for soft-play sessions for her two daughters, and now gets cut-price sports lessons for the pair, aged 14 and 17.
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The family from Stockton-on-Tees, Co Durham, also enjoy cheap cinema trips.
Account administrator Joanne, who is married to driving instructor David, 54, said: “It’s a big surprise to hear how expensive everyday leisure activities are in the South.
“My daughter gets two rugby sessions for £5 a week. That’s a normal price here.
“Wages might be higher in the South, but house prices there mean a bigger percentage of people’s salaries goes on their mortgage.
“They have less disposable income, which could make high leisure costs even more of a financial burden.”
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This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk
