Getting ripped off at the cinema

I don't want to give the impression that I spoil my children - I don't like disappointing them: who does? - but I had to draw a line today when, having suggested that we all go to the cinema, Abi and Dan said they wanted to go and see 'Pitch Perfect 2'. This, I had to explain, was an activity that would make me sad. However, I showed them both the trailer for 'Tomorrowland', which they grudgingly agreed would be a reasonable substitute.

So it was then that we drove to down to the Vue in Lancaster. I bought our tickets - £23 - and then ordered a medium drink and a medium popcorn each for Dan and Abi. I saw a figure of £7.49 pop up on the screen, which seemed all right for two drinks and two boxes of popcorn, although the price seemed a bit odd: perhaps it was a special offer, I thought.

But no! When I handed over my card it turned out the price was £7.49 for each drink and popcorn "combo". This actually made me feel slightly sick and Dan even asked if I was OK when we got to our seats. I realised I'd gone a bit quiet as I felt simultaneously angry and ill. Anyway, I pushed it to the back of my mind and concentrated on the kids and the film, which, it turned out, was very good: we all enjoyed it and would all recommend it.

I've written about the big cinema chains sucking the joy out of going to the flicks previously (you can read it here) so I won't bang on about it again but when I got home, I did take it up with Vue on Twitter and they responded from their @vuehelp account. 

I won't recount the whole conversation - although, for now at least, you can see it here - but the most curious part of it was them pointing out to me that "Guests can bring their own confectionery". So, that's a useful bit of information for me and for you, straight from the horses mouth. I'll leave you to ponder why they don't simply lower their prices such that people don't feel the need to bring their own food.