The first local test of a new provincial law to allow drinking in movie theatres shows the community is generally in support of the idea.

Quadra VillageB次元官网网址檚 Roxy Theatre is the first in Greater Victoria to , and the public got to air their feelings about the application at a public hearing last Thursday.

There is a real desire to see the Roxy survive, said Coun. Ben Isitt, speaking to the sentiments expressed by a majority of presenters to council.

Some people also expressed concerns about opening another drinking establishment in the neighbourhood.

B次元官网网址淥n balance it makes sense for the community to support this mom-and-pop theatre,B次元官网网址� said Isitt, who is the liaison for the Hillside Quadra neighbourhood. He is also a parent who lives nearby.

More than a dozen letters to council solidified support for the liquor application.

B次元官网网址淚 have been a patron since my high school days in the early and mid-90s, and like many Victorians have a bond with the business,B次元官网网址� Ryan Wood wrote.

B次元官网网址淭hrough the acquisition of a liquor licence the theatre can make up for some financial pitfalls and continue to be a viable form of entertainment.B次元官网网址�

Others spoke to their desire for more options for patrons and the need to keep Victoria vibrant for young people.

B次元官网网址淎ny step towards less arcane and unnecessarily restrictive laws surrounding liquor in the province is a step in the right direction!B次元官网网址� wrote Kim Persley, who owns a home in the area.

B次元官网网址淲e lose our local young adults (my 24-year-old daughter being an example B次元官网网址�) to Vancouver and anywhere else because Victoria is boring,B次元官网网址� wrote Karen Kennedy.

Only Philip and Judy Bogod wrote a letter urging council to reject the application.

A movie house usually has no intermission to serve drinks, and the lobby area at the Roxy is too cramped, they wrote.

B次元官网网址淚t would be unpleasant to have the smell of alcohol in the theatre itself while a movie was playing; even worse if somebody carrying alcohol were to spill it on another patron in the dark.B次元官网网址�

After listening to input from the public, council postponed making a decision, but directed staff to prepare a recommendation in support of the application.

Did you know?

B次元官网网址� In April, the provincial government made a change to its liquor regulations allowing movie theatres to apply for a licence to serve alcohol during adult-only films.

B次元官网网址� Michael Sharpe, who owns the Roxy Independent Arts House Theatre in Quadra Village, is seeking a licence to be able to serve liquor seven days a week between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m.

rholmen@vicnews.com