Father's Facebook post about family's trip to cinema 'costing £70' hits a nerve

Vue Cinema admits charging premium prices for food and drink, but says the alternative is higher ticket prices that would mean some people couldn't afford to go

The Facebook post has been liked over 11,000 times (Getty Images )

A man's angry Facebook post about a trip to the cinema with his two children allegedly costing him £70 has now been liked on social media over 11,000 times.

Dean McQuade, a father-of-three from York, expressed his outrage at the price of tickets and snacks following the visit to a Vue Cinema.

Other people have posted their support, with particular backing for his argument that £5.50 for a portion of nachos is too expensive.

He called it "madness" that someone earning the national minimum wage would have to work for 10 hours to earn enough money to take two children to the cinema for a film lasting around one and a half hours.

Alongside a portion of nachos and liquid cheese, Mr McQuade wrote on Facebook: "I’m no penny pincher and after been at work all week, when it gets to the weekend I want to do something with my kids.

"But come on Vue, £5.50 for these [nachos]. £5.50. There must be more than £5 profit in that! Put that with the ticket prices, a drink and some sweets for them [and] you're looking at £70."

Layla Sloan, who commented on the post, wrote: "I remember my mam taking us two kids and her to cinema back in the day and it cost less than 25 pound.

"That was for a drink each, large popcorn and tickets, now you be lucky if that buy you the popcorn. Think it's disgusting that the prices cost that much!!"

Paul Galley posted: "The big chains do charge too much to watch a film.

"How come the small cinemas like the picture dome in Bognor Regis can charge £2.50 Monday to Thursday and ONLY £3.50 for day of release blockbusters. Who's being ripped of?"

A Vue Entertainment spokeswoman responded to Mr McQuade on Facebook, informing him customers can bring their own food and drink into the cinema.

She added: "It is a generally well-reported fact that the majority of the money taken at the box office goes to the film maker/distributor. Therefore in order to make cinemas a viable business, all cinemas charge premium prices for the food and drinks sold.

"The alternative is to charge a higher price for tickets which would restrict more people from enjoying the cinema.

"However, this said we do aim to provide value and you will find a variety of combos and special offers that do save you money."