MOVIE lovers could soon be relaxing with wine and beer while watching a late-night blockbuster at the Odeon. The cinema giant wants to sell booze along with its popular snacks before people settle in to watch a film on the big screen between 10am and 1am. Bosses at the cinema at the top of Southend High Street want to show films until 4am. They have also asked Southend Council for permission to serve hot and cold food at the kiosks until 4am. It is hoped the late-night entertainment licence will allow the cinema to organise occasional marathon screenings of popular movie sagas, such as the Batman trilogy or Twilight saga. Victoria Young’s two sons Tyler, seven and Logan, four, regularly go to the cinema. Victoria, 26, of Burnaby Road, Southend, said: “I have mixed feelings towards drinking in the cinema. “It depends whether people are going to abuse the fact they can drink and if it will cause more trouble and noise. “Also will people be able to drink in any film or is it just for films classified as 18? “I don’t see any problem with late-night films, but it would depend on how many people would go late in the evening.” Jane Gull, 38, of South Street, Rochford , who organises annual summer schools for budding young actors, said: “Anything that gets people into the cinema and watching films is a good thing. “I know a few cinemas in London which do late showings of horror and independent films and I would love to see that in Southend.” There are no plans to build a bar and the alcohol will be served from the kiosk in plastic cups from lockable cabinets. Danny Barnes, of the police’s south east Essex licensing team, said: “It is not unusual and seems to be a new trend. “We have been in negotiations with the Odeon and are satisfied there are sufficient measures in place.” A spokeswoman for Odeon confirmed the cinema has applied for an alcohol licence. She said: “We are unable to comment further on this at this time. Following approval, further information will be released.”

The 18-screen Empire Cinema on the Festival Leisure Park , Basildon , has permission to serve alcohol during movie screenings but has not started doing it yet.