The popcorn war has begun

The ban on the sale of popcorn and food in movies is creating tensions. While the film owners’ association is in talks with Quebec, some theater operators, such as Vincent Guzzo, are threatening to shut down if the government does not show up.

Also read: A movie without popcorn

“If it’s like that, I’m not open!” Wednesday Hammers in an interview with Cinemas Guzzo president Vincent Guzzo on Wednesday Journal.

“To be open under these circumstances, it’s certainly not profitable for us. And then the other big problem is that people are going to bring their own food to the theaters. We end up playing the police.”

In a statement sent out late Wednesday, the Quebec Cinemas owners’ association also stressed that all measures imposed on Tuesday to reopen would force it to operate at a loss. The company said the ban on opening food counters would result in the loss of 50% of their revenue. “Our request to the government is to reconsider the ban on food sales or to lose this revenue,” wrote Eric Bouchard and Denise Hertubeys, co-chairs of the Quebec Cinema Theater Owners Association.

Confident

The association assured that talks with Quebec are still ongoing: “Since yesterday’s announcement [mardi], We have the opportunity to discuss with the government and better explain our situation and the implications of the actions. It is hoped that the talks will continue in the coming days and that we will come to some common ground.

“We have the same goal, which is to open the movies as soon as possible so that there is access to a safe cultural outing for all families and Quebecars.”

In an interview with Radio-Canada on Wednesday, Health Minister Christian Dubey said he had decided not to allow the reopening of food counters in cinemas following a public health recommendation. He said he would “find adjustments in the coming weeks.”

Keep in mind that when theaters reopened for the first time last summer, food sales were allowed. However, no prevalence was seen in the movies.

Curfew

The ban on popcorn sales is not the only problem facing film owners. Curfew imposed at 8pm in areas in the Red Zone, preventing movies from being shown in the evening.

“It’s a logistic issue that cuts off four to five days of operation,” Vincent Guzo said. After the spring break, we are unable to work from Monday to Friday and we are only open on Saturdays and Sundays. “

Many other film owners joined Newspaper It is not yet known on Wednesday whether they will reopen their doors on February 26th. No decision has yet been made on Wednesday at Cineplex, the largest theater chain in the country. Other companies, such as CinemaBubin, have already begun plans to reopen on February 26. “We have only 10 days left to reopen. We have no time to waste. You have to be prepared, ”said Mario Fortin, president and CEO of Bubin.