North-east cinema lovers could soon enjoy a pint with their film if plans are approved by councillors this week.
Cineworld at Aberdeen’s Queen’s Links has applied for a variation of premises licence which would allow patrons to drink alcohol in movie screenings.
People can currently drink at the cinema’s bar, but are not allowed to take their beverages into the cinema itself.
A number of conditions have been attached to the proposal, including a limit of three alcoholic drinks per customer.
Meanwhile, people buying tickets for films rated U, PG and 12A would only be able to drink after 6pm.
In a letter from Neil Richardson QPM, deputy chief constable designate for Aberdeen city division, to the team leader of the council’s Legal and Democratic Services, he said the police have “no adverse comment to make” about the license.
But NHS Grampian chiefs have raised concerns that the amount of alcohol allowed for each customer may breach daily guidelines.
Consultant in public health Chris Littlejohn said: “Aberdeen City already has a higher incidence of wholly attributable alcohol related hospital admissions when compared to Aberdeenshire, Moray and the rest of Scotland.
“Even small reductions in the availability of alcohol can contribute to health gain and reduce violence and harm to the population generally, as well as to the drinker themselves.”
Councillors will meet today to decide whether to allow the licence.