SMH wrote:Greater Union food ban is incredible, say moviegoers
By Mark Franklin
January 7, 2005
http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Gre ... click=true
Greater Union has defended its ban on people bringing their own food and drink into its cinemas, but moviegoers yesterday said it was unfair.
"Their prices are really dear and if people don't want to spend the extra money they should be able to bring stuff from outside." said Nathan Pinnell, 17, who yesterday took his two younger sisters to see The Incredibles at Greater Union's complex on George Street.
Another customer, Dan Peters, 25, said: "You shouldn't have to mortgage your house just so that you can buy popcorn."
The policy means that moviegoers will only be allowed to take in food and drink that is bought from the complex's outlets.
But food prices at its cinema complexes are often more than double those charged by other retailers. For example, Greater Union charges $4.50 for a 600 millilitre bottle of Coke that costs $1.99 at Woolworths. And its 100 gram bag of crisps costs $3.50 compared to $1.65 at Woolworths.
Tracy Whybrew, national field marketing manager for the AHL group, which owns Greater Union, said the policy had been in place for six months.
"But we'll now be making sure that people comply with our request," she said.
Lisa Van Pinxteren, the joint-owner of Roseville Cinema, an independent movie theatre, said the crackdown was unfair.
"People have paid for their tickets and they should be able to bring food from home, especially as Greater Union charges such exorbitant prices at their candy bars," she said.
But Ms Whybrew said that Greater Union was operating within its rights.
"It's just like any other retailer of food and beverages. If you brought your own food into a restaurant or into a cafe they'd ask you to leave," she said.
Hoyts, Palace and Verona ban hot food, glass bottles and alcohol, but do not intend to crack down on general food or drink bought off the premises.
Fair dinkum. The prices charged at the candy bar these days are ridiculous and now you aren't allowed to bring in your own food.
Has anyone else noticed that Greater Union on George Street Sydney charges different prices to Hoyts despite the two companies being in the same building. I thought when the two merged, prices were supposed to come down as the companies claimed costs for staff etc would be reduced. Well at least that's what they told the ACCC when they were seeking its approval for the merger.
Going to the movies these days is one big rort from the time you buy your ticket to the time you get to the candy bar.
