A scandal has erupted in Seville involving the well-known cinema chain Yelmo Cines. City authorities have fined the company €12,000 after staff at the Lagoh shopping center cinema (Seville) decided to ban entry to guests bringing food and drinks purchased outside the venue. This behavior turned out to be not just controversial, but directly at odds with current legislation. The legality of such restrictions has long been debated in Spain, but now the issue has taken on new urgency.
This is not an isolated incident. In recent years, cases of moviegoers being denied entry because they brought their own food have become more frequent. However, this particular case prompted a serious investigation and official penalty. City officials determined that the cinema violated visitors’ rights by enforcing rules without any legal basis.
Violation of the law
The decision is based on Article 20.9 of the regional law on public events and entertainment, in force in Andalusia. It explicitly states that admission conditions cannot be discriminatory, arbitrary, or contrary to established regulations. The ban on bringing in food and drinks purchased outside the cinema was recognized as exactly this kind of illegal practice.
The cinema tried to appeal the fine, but city authorities rejected the company’s arguments. The penalty remains in force, although Yelmo Cines technically still has the option to take the matter to court. Nevertheless, consumer rights advocates were unimpressed by the amount. They believe that for a large chain, €12,000 is not enough to prompt a change in company policy, especially when the violations are recurring.
Public reaction
Consumer rights organizations have expressed their disappointment, arguing that the fine is more symbolic than a real punishment. After all, this is a company that has been involved in similar situations before. Last year, cinemas from the same chain in other Andalusian cities—Algeciras, Jerez de la Frontera, Roquetas de Mar, and Almería—faced similar complaints. There as well, audience members were denied entry for bringing food and drinks purchased elsewhere.
Back in 2019, Andalusian authorities had already ruled that such bans are illegal. Cinemas were even required to remove signs from their façades prohibiting outside food. However, in practice, companies continue to disregard these regulations, betting that the fines will not seriously affect their business.
A systemic issue
The situation with Yelmo Cines is just the tip of the iceberg. In Spain, the issue of whether restrictions on bringing food and drinks into cinemas are justified has long been debated. Venue owners argue that the sale of snacks and drinks is a vital part of their income. However, the law clearly sides with consumers, prohibiting discriminatory entry conditions.
While some argue over the fairness of these bans, others wonder why major chains continue to take risks despite clear legal threats. The answer may lie in the fines themselves, which for large companies seem more like minor expenses than real deterrents. In the end, ordinary moviegoers pay the price, forced to deal with arbitrary rules at the cinema entrance.
Outlook
The story with the cinema in Sevilla is unlikely to be the last. As long as fines remain symbolic and companies do not face real losses, the situation is unlikely to change. The question of how to protect viewers’ rights and make businesses comply with the law remains unresolved. One thing is clear: the battle to bring your own popcorn or bottle of water to the movies goes on—and there’s no end in sight.
