Cinema-goers in Ashford can now buy alcohol from concession stands at Cineworld.

New rules brought in by the cinema chain mean that customers can drink alcohol in all screens at the Eureka Leisure Park theatre.

Previously, alcohol was sold from the cinema’s bar, along with soft drinks and a range of snacks.

However, the new licence means it can now be purchased from the concessions stand.

The announcement was posted on the cinema’s Facebook page late last month and said: “We have some great news.

“We now sell alcohol from our concession stands which you can now drink in any of our screens.”

It added that customers will be asked for identification before being served, to prove their age, and that no alcohol can be brought into the premises.

Previously alcohol could only be drunk in allocated screens.

The decision has been met with some criticism however.

Karen Jackson, from Willesborough, questioned why there was a need for alcohol to be on sale at the cinema.

“Can nowhere be alcohol free? There’s enough places selling it." - Karen Jackson

She said: “Can nowhere be alcohol free? There’s enough places selling it. You don’t need alcohol to enjoy a film.

“Yet another rare place I can go without drunks now ruined. I’m disappointed. This isn’t great news at all.”

Ms Jackson, along with another film fan, posted her concerns under the original post on Facebook.

The other person commenting said: “This is a real shame. A cinema doesn’t need alcohol and if you need alcohol to enjoy a film you have a problem.”

He said it was just another way for the cinema giant to “make money”, adding: “If you want booze go to a pub or restaurant.

“What parent would want some bloke swigging beer sat next to their child?”

Cineworld responded to the Facebook complaints by saying that “alcohol is sold at many venues where children are present” and that “customers have a choice to either purchase alcohol or not”.

A company spokesperson said: “Some of our cinemas, like Ashford, do sell a range of alcoholic drinks to customers as part of their retail offering.

“These cinemas adhere to strict licensing rules and regulations, which includes challenging anyone who looks under 25 for ID, and not serving customers we believe are intoxicated.”

This is not the first time the cinema has received criticism from customers.

Last year, film fans were left angry when allocated seating was introduced.