Going to the pictures is often a fun-filled thing to do, that all the family can get involved in.
It's a great shout if you're stuck for a way to spend your time, especially during winter, when the weather can be less than ideal for outdoor activities. But amid the ongoing cost of living crisis, and with people trying to make their money go as far as it can, cinema trips can soon add up if you start buying popcorn, drinks and other snacks.
Food and drink items are usually hugely marked up from what they'd cost in a supermarket and if we're honest, most of us have at one point or another smuggled in our own goodies to save money.
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But do we really need to be so cloak and dagger about it? What do the rules actually say? We asked Vue, Odeon, Cineworld, Showcase and Everyman for their policies on customers bringing food and drink into their cinemas - and here's what they said:
Vue has cinemas across the UK, including in Birkenhead and Southport. When it comes to filmgoers taking in their own snacks and beverages, a spokesperson told the ECHO: "Vue is proud to offer a wide variety of food and drink with a range of exciting combos available from just £3.99.
"Many of our sites feature draught beer taps and Coke Freestyle machines mixing over 100 flavours at the touch of a screen as well as offering a range of snacks and drinks including Tango Ice Blasts, pick n’ mix, milkshakes and hot food including the likes of customisable nachos and hot dogs.
"Of course if film fans would prefer, they can bring in their own cold snacks and non-alcoholic drinks to ensure all
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