By Courtney Eales,Isobel Pankhurst
Copyright mirror
When the weather turns dreadful, there’s nothing quite like escaping to the cinema for a few hours. Catching the newest film releases makes for perfect entertainment whether you’re with family, your partner, or flying solo. With colder weather on the horizon, it might be wise to ditch those outdoor plans and make your way to your nearest picture house instead. One of the primary factors that might discourage people from visiting the cinema is the steep cost of refreshments needed to sustain you during a film. It’s common knowledge that cinema prices can be eye-wateringly expensive . The UK Cinema Association explains: “All cinemas rely on income from food and drink to make their businesses viable – for all films, only a proportion of box office revenue goes to the cinema itself. “Without this income, the cost of cinema tickets for everyone would need to be higher. This would in turn mean less people were able to afford to go to the cinema in the first place.” Whilst many of us enjoy smuggling treats into the cinema, others might prefer not to risk it. You might be shocked to discover the policies regarding bringing your own refreshments to the cinema, as each chain operates different regulations. Odeon stands as Britain’s premier cinema chain , boasting venues throughout the country. They’ve modernised significantly in recent years and now run several “Odeon Luxe” establishments, where every film showing features reclining seats or beds. Nevertheless, the regulations concerning refreshments in cinemas remain identical for all Odeon venues, whether they are Odeon Luxe establishments or not. On its website, Odeon states: “We have a fantastic range of cinema classics like popcorn, hot dogs and our famous nachos available to buy in cinema, but we do allow guests to bring in their own snacks and drinks. We do not allow the following to be brought in from outside the cinema: heated food, pungent food and alcoholic drinks.” If you are uncertain about bringing in your own refreshments, you can enquire with a staff member at the Odeon you are attending. Vue has 92 cinemas across the UK and Ireland . According to its website, customers are not allowed to bring in hot food or alcohol drinks. Vue sells popcorn, nachos, milkshakes, and many other snacks and drinks, but if you’d like to bring your own you can. Its website states: “Feel free to bring your own food and drink with you, but leave the hot food and alcohol at home”. Showcase and Showcase Cinema de Lux operate fewer than 20 venues throughout the UK. The small cinema chain has addressed whether patrons can bring their own refreshments into the venue in its FAQ section, stating: “We do not allow guests to bring hot food, alcoholic beverages and drinks in glass containers into our buildings. We reserve the right to refuse admission.” Cineworld maintains a stringent policy prohibiting externally purchased hot food or alcohol, and they reserve the right to deny customers entry into the screens with hot food or alcohol purchased outside the premises. The cinema states: “We offer a wide range of drinks and snacks for you to enjoy when watching our movies, including cinema favourites such as popcorn, hot dogs and nachos.” In a separate warning, Cineworld advises patrons against vaping inside the venue. They declare: “No, customers are not permitted to smoke or vape on the premises of any Cineworld cinema. “This includes any form of electronic cigarette or other artificial smoking devices. Cineworld reserves the right to require any person or customer found to be in contravention of this rule to leave the premises immediately without any entitlement to a refund.” Everyman picture houses could be considered a well-kept secret by many. The boutique cinema enforces stringent policies regarding bringing refreshments into screenings. On its website, Everyman declares: “Only food and drinks purchased at the cinema are allowed into our screens.” The venue confirms it does provide refreshments. It explains: “Yes, we offer a variety of hot food and snacks, both savoury and sweet, at our fully licensed bars in all venues. Check out our full menus here.” Every Everyman cinema boasts a complete bar and restaurant menu, accessible in the bar section or brought directly to your seat during the film.
