Taking own food / drinks into cinema

Fighting_Back

This might have been posted elsewhere but I can't find it -

I notice the cinemas here have been putting up notices telling customers not to bring in their own food and drink. On Saturday I watched a family pay £11.50 for four small bottles of pop and a bag of sweets at one of the cinemas. Extortionate pricing in my opinion.
I do think this is unfair - particularly for families who have already paid maybe £20 - £30 and possibly more than that just to see a film.

Is this ban by cinemas actually legal? Surely anti-competitive? What powers does a cinema employee have to search your bags?

Nicolefury

My OH actually manages for a large cinema chain and they are not that bothered about people taking food in, the only thing they get annoyed with is people taking hot food in, because it smells and the smells linger on the seats. He once caught someone happily tucking into a fish and chip supper in a screen.

The main problem is that cinemas take such a tiny percentage of the tickets, that food is the main source of their income. Perhaps thats why cinemas near you are feeling the need to ban outside food.

stamford

Being a bit of a tightwad/kuripot I always ensure we take a carrier bag full of cans, crisps, popcorn etc. What Cinema - not been for 5 or 6 weeks our local is an Odeon.

Sorry I know this hasn't answered the points you raised in your last sentence

Fighting_Back

Cineworld in Manchester. I think there is also a notice at UCI (or whatever it is called now) in Stockport. I too am someone who usually takes my own sweets and maybe water - if I can buy these items at Home Bargains - so much the better!

I can understand the point about not taking fish and chips in though .....

Nicolefury

My OH doesn't work for either of those two, so I wouldn't know if the policy has changed.

People do majorly take the mickey when it comes to taking hot food in the cinema, and other things...

foxwales

Its not really a ban; its a discretion and it has no legality.

They have the right to refuse food and drink not purchased at the venu on their premises; bit like saying you wouldn't take your own alcohol to a pub.

The only thing you can do is to protest by not going to the cinema; most movies are out on DVD a few weeks later now or available through your telly if you have sky or cable. Perhaps you should sit on your hands for a movie to come out on a the small screen; then you can munch what you want in the comfort of your own home :beer:

wornoutmumoftwo

If the price for food/drink wasn't so extortionate I would buy from the cinema ( seeing as it's a treat to even go out).

Stephb1986_2

its understandable about taking hot food in i've never done that

But i regularly go to my local cinema (empire) i do sometimes take in my own pop dont really eat sweeties though.

Steph xx

hazeyjewel

I take pop and pringles usually:beer:

gazza975526570

But i imagine as its a private place they have the right to refuse entry

Nicolefury

wornoutmumoftwo wrote: »

If the price for food/drink wasn't so extortionate I would buy from the cinema ( seeing as it's a treat to even go out).

There is very very little the cinemas can do about that. The ticket percentage they get is so meagre, that they prop up the business by inflating the prices on the food. The only way it's going to go is up.