F&B Consumption Will Be Allowed in Cinemas But There Will Still Be A 50-Person Limit in Each Hall

Good news for movie-lovers! Starting today (21 Jun), we’ll once again be allowed to eat in cinemas.

That’s a small win for us, since the true movie experience is not complete without a family-sized bucket of popcorn (sweet popcorn is better than salty popcorn—change my mind), a large fizzy Coke, and the numerous packets of sweets and chips that you secretly smuggled in from NTUC like an auntie.

We all do it, don’t worry.

Anyway, while it may sound lovely that we can once again mindlessly chomp away on our snacks while we watch movies, things may not actually be all sunshine and rainbows.

In fact, there’s always pros and cons for every situation. And here, cinema operators may be the ones losing out.

Why, you ask? Well, read on to find out.

F&B Consumption Will Be Allowed in Cinemas But There Will Still Be A 50-Person Limit in Each Hall

First, let’s refresh your memory a little.

More than a month ago, Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) regulations meant that only a maximum of 50 people was allowed in one cinema hall without pre-event testing (PET) since 16 May.

Of course, safe distancing was necessary and group sizes were limited to only two, like the dine-in limit starting today (21 Jun). Food and beverages were also not allowed inside cinema halls.

As expected, Singapore’s cinemas took a huge hit. Their revenues took an estimated dip of 70% in 2020 as compared to 2019. Industry insiders also revealed that audience numbers also fell 80% during Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) even though they rebounded somewhat during Phase 3.

Now, food and beverages are once again allowed in cinemas. However, while that may help in lifting the financial burdens of cinema operators, the 50-person limit is the true revenue-killer for many, as commented by cinema operators to The Straits Times.

A spokesman for Filmgarde Cineplexes, which operates three outlets, said that they’re operating at less than 50% capacity, adding that, “Such capacity limits are not tenable for business continuity, especially given the industry’s high fixed operating costs.”

To give you a rough gauge, a typical cinema hall can sit between 100 and 200 people. If you bother to pull out a calculator to crunch in the numbers, a 50-person quota means that a cinema hall is only operating at one-quarter to half its capacity.

The Filmgarde spokesman did also acknowledge that the resumption of the sale of food and beverages in cinemas was essential.

Ms Karen Tan, founder of independent cinema The Projector, concurred, describing food sales as “not merely ancillary but critical to the cinema business model and sustainability of cinemas”.

“Having concessions allows another revenue stream and also makes cinema-going more attractive, thereby hopefully translating into more customers,” she said.

But the 50-person cap remains a large hindrance, and will obstruct the relief provided by food-and-beverage sales, according to Ms Tan.

She explained that if PET is implemented, it might be possible to raise the capacity for each hall to 250. However, that is unrealistic for cinema operators, since one test kit actually costs more than a movie ticket.

Beyond the test kits themselves, they also have to factor in the costs and logistics of engaging trained test administrators and implementing crowd control in cinema lobbies.

As for cinema-goers, Ms Tan made the (probably quite accurate) conclusion that patrons are unlikely to be willing to foot both the cost and undergo the hassle of PET just to watch a movie. PET would then be less effective in cinemas as compared to in one-off events like weddings.

A Silver Lining for Singapore’s Silver Screens

But not all is lost for the cinema industry.

Ms Tan expressed hopes that since the previous eight months have yielded no COVID-19 clusters linked to cinemas, the authorities may relax restrictions and return to the 50% capacity per hall.

Additionally, cinema operators are generally confident that crowds of excited movie enthusiasts will come flocking back after blockbusters, which have been postponed due to the pandemic, make their debut on the Singapore screens.

It seems as though operators are pinning high hopes on oncoming movies.

A spokesman for Golden Village Multiplex, which is Singapore’s largest operator, claimed that “moviegoers will be spoilt for choice” in the next few weeks.

Why? Well, “Fast & Furious 9“ will be coming to our sunny island soon, and it will begin sneak previews on Thursday (24 Jun). Other highly-anticipated films include “Black Widow”, which will be released on 9 July in Cathay Cineplexes.

“We are feeling optimistic as Singapore continues to open up,” said a Cathay spokesman.

Featured Image: Jacob Lund/ Shutterstock.com