Cinema's 'beer with your popcorn' plan
CINEMA-GOERS could soon be able to drink beer and wine while watching their favourite movies.
The Vue Cinema in Newcastle has applied for a licence to sell alcohol from 9am until 30 minutes before the end of the last showing.
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PLAN: Newcastle's Vue has applied to for an alcohol licence.
Film fans would be able to buy and drink alcohol in the foyer area as well as inside each of the cinema's eight screens.
But Staffordshire Police have objected to the application.
Vue runs more than 60 cinemas in England, Wales and Scotland and says a substantial number of those already sell alcohol without any problems.
Under the plans, alcohol will be sold to customers who have bought cinema tickets and served at screenings where the audience is likely to be predominantly adult.
Staff with trays or trolleys would sell drinks inside screens before films began and during intervals.
Cinema staff would wear night vision goggles to check on the behaviour of customers every half hour.
In its application to Newcastle Borough Council, Vue states: "Alcohol will be sold at a premium price and in practice will be limited to wines and beers. Customers may consume their drinks in the foyer area or may take them into the auditorium.
"Alcohol will not be on sale for all of the screenings. Management will decide based on the film being shown, the time of day and other factors."
A spokesman for Vue added: "Vue strives to offer the ultimate cinema experience so Vue Newcastle has applied for a licence so guests can enjoy a refreshing drink while watching the latest films.
"This is in keeping with many of our other sites across the country and adds a great deal of value to the cinema experience."
Drinks would be served in plastic glasses and the High Street venue would operate a Challenge 21 policy. A digital CCTV system would be installed.
Sergeant Alison Bromley, licensing manager at Staffordshire Police, said: "We are currently in the process of consulting with Vue with a view to reaching an agreement for a number of conditions designed to alleviate our concerns."
The council's licensing sub-committee will consider the application on Wednesday, December 3.
Comment: Page 10
5 Comments
by phil, Newcastle
Thursday, November 27 2008, 5:33PM
“What a stupid idea this is.
Why do we need beer in a cinema..its a nice family environment..we don't need beer in there.
I dont know about you but I always need to go pee as soon as i have supped a cold beer. The films will be spoiled by people constantly getting up to go to the loo.
That's assuming they actually botheer to get up. there will no doubt be some mucky herbeerts who will simply pee in the beer cups and leave them in them in the darkness for some poor unsuspecting kid to kick over.
Pretty soon the cinema will smell like the Pub toilet and people will stop going altogether and Castle will lose its cinema as well as its Woolworths.”
by Recalcitrant, Newcastle
Thursday, November 27 2008, 5:29PM
“I cannot understand why anyone would need to have beer while watching a movie. When i drink a pint or two it makes me want to pee so you would have even more people getting up half way through the film.
That is assuming they can be bothered to get up at all. There will be some disgusting herberts who will just pee into the beer cups and leave them to be kicked over by the next unsuspecting person.
Soon the cinema will smell like a pub toilet and no will go anymore (few do due to the high prices) and hay presto Newcastle loses its cinema as well as Woolworths.”
by Amy, newcastle under Lyme
Wednesday, November 26 2008, 2:36PM
“I think this idea seems fine, and dont think any trouble will be caused, and to A Parent, im much older than 18 and always get asked for id , even my friend in their 30's do can you believe. Challenge 21 and 25 are well in place these days, not like when I was a teen. also the cost of cinema popcorn and beer, probably is too much for teenage boys these days.”
by Stokie George, Stoke
Wednesday, November 26 2008, 12:25PM
“Beer is available in cimemas on the continent and there doesn't seem to be a problem there with it. Neither has there been a problem taking drinks into live theatre auditoriums!”
by A Parent, Stoke
Wednesday, November 26 2008, 11:59AM
“Id just like to say a big THANK YOU to Staffordshire police for saying NO.
I have 2 teenage sons that look older than they are,they know the dangers of drinking but that doesnt mean they wont try buying it.they go to this cinema regular and i would not be happy knowing that they could buy beer.so THANK YOU.”